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$2.3 million to boost waste management in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa
Panel discussion at the launch of the Building Circular Food Systems partnership in Dar es Salaam.
What you need to know:
- Since January 2023, the partnership has collected over 2,840 tons of organic waste in Tanzania, which has been transformed into 71 metric tons of high-value, low-carbon protein for animal feed and 313 metric tons of BSF Frass biofertiliser.
Dar es Salaam. A total of $2.3 million (Sh5.7 billion) has been invested in a newly formed partnership called Building Circular Food Systems, aiming to make significant progress in tackling waste management issues and promoting more sustainable practices in the food production and consumption processes.
The project involves the collaboration of various companies such as Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) AB InBev, Unilever, alongside a local Tanzanian sustainable protein company, Chanzi, and P4G, a funding and network platform, as well as the AB InBev Foundation.
Addressing the media at the Chanzi facility in Dar es Salaam today, October 12, Director of Environmental Research and Management at the National Environmental Management Council (Nemc), Dr Menani Jangu, said that 40 percent of food produced in Tanzania goes to waste, hence creating a challenge of waste management.
"Such initiatives as this one launched through a partnership are pivotal in addressing the challenges of solid waste management," he said, adding that the major challenge facing urban cities is how to manage organic waste. "Such initiatives help Tanzania reduce methane emissions," he added.
The Building Circular Food Systems project will see the creation of 56 direct new green jobs, 36 percent of which are held by women, whereby a certain amount will build facilities in Kenya and South Africa while expanding the facilities in Tanzania, namely in Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
Dr Menani said the facility, apart from protecting the environment, also helps the government's initiative to ensure food security in the country. "It is my hope to see such a facility established in other parts of Dar es Salaam since the waste that is produced is still huge."
He called on the district councils to provide all the necessary support to the facility so that it can fulfill its work of collecting waste.
Chanzi CEO Andrew Wallace says that this initiative creates sustainable value by empowering women and trickles down directly to the community, which faces daily waste management challenges.
"We can create value for waste management in society. Tanzania and other African countries are facing this huge hurdle. Our goal is to process over 2,000 tonnes of waste daily," said Wallace.
Beyond Tanzania, the partnership aims to address waste management and sustainable food systems in Africa. The facility in Tanzania is designed to convert food waste into valuable protein for animal feed and to produce biofertiliser for crops.
Acknowledging the importance of proper solid waste management, TBL’s Managing Director, Mr Jose Moran, said, “We know that we are facing an environmental crisis and that organic food waste is at an all-time high. It is our duty, as responsible corporate citizens, to challenge ourselves to find innovative solutions; that is why we are all here today. We have worked hard with our partners to build this partnership and would like to share this with all of you, our valued stakeholders, the Chanzi model, ‘from waste to value'."
On the other hand, P4G executive director Robyn McGuckin said, "This partnership is a great example of how public-private collaboration can contribute to country transitions through solutions that reduce carbon emissions and provide well-paying jobs in communities."
Mr McGuckin added that "for a sustainable future, we need the rapid adoption and scaling of climate solutions."
Unilever Market Development Lead, Edwin Okalio, highlighted the fact that the partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration to drive positive change and create a more sustainable future for all. “Today marks an important milestone for us, and we believe that this initiative holds the potential to inspire similar projects across Africa.”
Chanzi utilises black soldier fly larvae, a native insect to Tanzania, to convert food waste into low-carbon, high-value protein for animal feed and biofertiliser.
Since January 2023, the partnership has collected over 2,840 tons of organic waste in Tanzania, which has been transformed into 71 metric tons of high-value, low-carbon protein for animal feed and 313 metric tons of BSF Frass biofertiliser.
That has significantly benefited crop and livestock farmers and avoided 1,477 tons of CO2. The partnership has also created 56 direct new green jobs, with 36 percent of them being filled by women.
