Waste to wealth: Unlocking opportunities in garbage

This means approximately 3,800 tonnes equivalent to 72 percent of the total waste generated remain uncollected.

Experts believe that raising awareness about waste management could significantly reduce this challenge, as many people fail to recognize the economic potential of waste materials.

As part of the efforts to promote proper waste management, the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), in collaboration with the Office of the Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam, is set to provide public education for two days at Mnazi Mmoja grounds ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste, which is observed every March 30.

Speaking to journalists March 27, NEMC’s Law Enforcement Manager, Amina KIBOLA, noted that waste is no longer just garbage but a valuable raw material.

“In commemorating this day, NEMC is committed to educating, encouraging, and ensuring that the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle is implemented across all production sectors. This will promote compliance with environmental laws, leading to cleaner surroundings, better public health, and sustainable resource use,” she said.

Also read:  Waste Management Crisis in Dar es Salaam

Ms Kibola added that various stakeholders will showcase how they transform waste into useful products, create employment, boost incomes, and contribute to a cleaner environment.

“By embracing the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, we are fostering an environmentally conscious society and promoting a circular economy for the sustainable development of our nation,” she said. She also highlighted the significant impact of waste from the fashion and textile industry on environmental pollution.

“A lot of waste from the fashion and textile sector is either burned or dumped in landfills. Therefore, this year, we are placing emphasis on preventing such waste from reaching landfills or being incinerated,” she noted.

Speaking to The Citizen, the Public Relations Manager of Mav Recycling, Jackline Kessy, whose company specializes in collecting electronic waste, said that many people still do not understand how to separate waste effectively.

Although Mav Recycling primarily collects waste from businesses, Ms Kessy underscored the need for people to recognize the opportunities that come with proper waste management.

“There are various opportunities in waste if it is disposed of in the right places. For example, household electronic waste, when disposed of correctly in designated bins and delivered to the right recipients, can be highly beneficial to the community,” she said.

She further explained that Mav Recycling processes waste to ensure its components can be repurposed for other uses.

“For instance, we extract plastic from old televisions and supply it to plastic manufacturing companies. We also strip wires from old irons to obtain copper, which has value in the market. Every type of waste has its worth,” she said.

Ms Kessy further urged the government to establish policies for designated electronic waste disposal sites.

“I wish there were designated collection points in every ward or neighbourhood where people could dispose of electronic waste. Some waste, like mobile phone batteries, is hazardous. Lithium batteries, for example, can swell and explode,” she said.

Since its establishment in 2021, Mav Recycling has made significant progress in collecting waste from companies and has also created jobs for six individuals.

“Our focus now is on educating the public on the importance of separating electronic waste,” she added.

On the other hand, the Jitegemee Maarifa Group, based in Buyuni, is transforming organic waste from food scraps and peels into a source of income, according to Ms Bandita Ambrose.

The group processes this waste into fertilizer, poultry feed, and alternative charcoal, which has become a significant income source, enabling them to send children to school and sustain their livelihoods.

“This waste has changed our lives and improved our earnings because when we turn it into an opportunity, we sell it to farmers, livestock keepers, and the community as an alternative to charcoal,” she said.

Ms Ambrose explained that in her neighbourhood, they distribute sacks for people to collect organic waste, making it easier for the group to collect and process it.

“This method not only helps protect the environment but also generates income through the sale of the processed products,” she said.

As Tanzania continues to grapple with waste management challenges, experts insist that waste should be viewed not as a problem but as a solution—one that, if properly harnessed, can drive economic growth and environmental sustainability.