Jinja: In Uganda's Jinja District, 80-year-old Sania Nankwanga has experienced a remarkable transformation in her home, thanks to Earth Enable's innovative Eco Floor. For years, Sania lived with a bare dusty dirt floor that attracted insects and caused respiratory issues. But today, her new floor is smooth, cool, and clean, offering a healthier environment for her and her grandchildren. Earth Enable, a social enterprise focused on sustainable housing, has developed a low-cost, eco-friendly flooring solution that is improving lives across the region.
According to Deutsche Welle, the Eco Floor is built using locally sourced materials like murram (a red gravelly soil), clay, sand, and water. After compacting the base layers, a fine screed is applied and sealed with a flax oil-based finish. This method not only creates a hygienic surface but has a much smaller carbon footprint than cement, which accounts for over 600,000 tons of annual CO2 emissions in Uganda. Using natural materials helps cut environmental impact while keeping costs low, with the price being about 70% cheaper than cement floors. With over 5,000 installations already completed, the Eco Floor is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative for low-income households.