Navigating the Complexities of Municipal Waste Management: Challenges and Innovations in Achieving Zero-Waste Goals in Tanzania

Introduction

Municipal waste management has become a critical challenge for many developing nations, particularly those experiencing rapid urbanization. Tanzania, one of the fastest-growing economies in East Africa, faces increasing difficulties in managing municipal solid waste (MSW). The expansion of cities such as Dar es Salaam, Unguja (Zanzibar), Mwanza, Arusha, and Dodoma has led to a rise in waste generation, overwhelming the existing waste management infrastructure.

According to the World Bank (2022), Tanzania generates an estimated 4.8 million tonnes (over 5,300 tons/day) of municipal solid waste annually, with an expected increase due to population growth and urbanization. Dar es Salaam alone, home to over 6 million people, contributes nearly 40% of the country’s total MSW. However, only 40–50% of the waste is collected and properly disposed of (National Bureau of Statistics, 2023), leaving the remainder to be illegally dumped, openly burned, or left to decompose in the streets and road tunnels.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving national and local governments, private sector players, civil society organizations, and communities. This article explores the key challenges facing municipal waste management in Tanzania and highlights innovative solutions that could help the country achieve its zero-waste aspirations.

The Challenges of Municipal Waste Management in Tanzania

Inadequate Waste Collection and Disposal Infrastructure. The lack of adequate waste collection and disposal facilities remains one of the most pressing issues in Tanzania. The National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) estimates that over 60% of urban waste is not collected due to limited municipal budgets and inefficient collection systems. In Dar es Salaam, waste collection services are only available in less than 50% of neighborhoods, leaving informal settlements and peri-urban areas with little to no services.

A key issue is the reliance on open dumpsites rather than engineered landfills. The Pugu Kinyamwezi (located 35km away from the city center) and Mabwepande Dumpsites, Dar es Salaam’s largest waste disposal sites, have exceeded their operational capacity and pose severe environmental and public health risks. Other cities, including Arusha and Mwanza, face similar issues, where waste is often dumped in uncontrolled areas, increasing soil and water pollution.

Limited Funding and Technical Capacity. Waste management is an expensive undertaking that requires significant investment in collection equipment, landfill maintenance, and recycling infrastructure. Municipal councils in Tanzania often lack the necessary financial and technical resources to modernize their waste management systems.

• Budget constraints: According to UN-Habitat (2023), less than 10% of municipal budgets in Tanzania are allocated to waste management. Many municipalities depend on donor funding and public-private partnerships to sustain their waste collection services. In some municipalities like Kigoma and Kinondoni, where waste collection and disposal facilities have been funded by donors, maintenance has been a challenge, leading to breakdown.

• Lack of equipment: A 2023 study by the Tanzania Urban Resilience Program (TURP) found that most municipalities operate with outdated garbage trucks, leading to frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies. Waste weigh bridges installed at the dump sites in some municipalities are non-functional.

Weak Enforcement of Waste Management Regulations. Tanzania has a solid legal framework governing waste management, including the Environmental Management Act (2004), the Plastic Bag Regulations (2019) (which banned single-use plastic bags), and the Solid Waste Management Regulations (2021), among others. However, weak enforcement has undermined these regulations. Illegal dumping and littering remain widespread, and many businesses and households fail to comply with waste separation and disposal guidelines. In some cases, corrupt municipal officials have allowed non-compliant businesses to continue operating without facing legal consequences. And while plastic bags were banned in the country in 2019, they are sadly, slowly, and steadily creeping back.

Public Awareness and Behavior Towards Waste Management. Public attitudes toward waste management play a critical role in achieving zero-waste goals. Unfortunately, many Tanzanians lack awareness of proper waste disposal practices. A 2022 survey by Ardhi University found that only 15% of households in urban areas separate their waste before disposal, making recycling efforts difficult. The culture of “dispose and forget” is prevalent, with many people relying on informal waste pickers to handle their trash rather than engaging in waste reduction and segregation efforts.

Innovations and Opportunities in Achieving Zero-Waste Goals

Despite the challenges, several innovative approaches are being implemented to improve municipal waste management in Tanzania.

The Nipe Fagio Zero-Waste Approach. One of the most impactful zero-waste initiatives in Tanzania (even in Africa) is led by Nipe Fagio, a non-profit organization advocating for sustainable waste management. Nipe Fagio’s Zero Waste Model focuses on decentralized waste management (using material recovery facilities (MRF)) instead of relying on large landfills. Nipe Fagio works with communities to establish localized waste management centers (MRFs). They also promote waste separation at the source. Households and businesses are encouraged to separate waste into organic, recyclable, and residual waste, improving recycling efficiency. The model encourages community engagement through clean-up campaigns, waste education, and advocacy, the organization fosters behavioral change among citizens.

With pilot projects in Bonyokwa in Ubungo district, Mawasiliano (Ubungo Municipality), Kigamboni District, and Tanga City have already shown positive results, diverting over 80% of collected waste from landfills, significantly reducing pollution, and creating jobs in recycling and composting.

Circular Economy and Recycling Innovations. Projects like VOICES, which implements the Circular Economy Challenge Fund (CECF), provide technical and financial support to circular economy businesses in Kigoma region, and companies such as EcoAct Tanzania, and Arena Recycling Industry are turning plastic waste into durable materials like paving blocks, while Kilimanjaro Plastics produces construction materials from recycled plastics.

The Chanzi Initiative, Bio Boo, and Lima Africa are other examples where organic waste is transformed into animal feed and organic fertilizer, reducing landfill waste and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Waste Management. Given the financial constraints of municipalities, public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as an effective model for improving waste collection and processing. Green Waste Pro collaborates with municipal authorities to provide door-to-door waste collection services, while Taka Taka Solutions in Arusha integrates waste pickers into formal employment, improving waste separation and recycling efficiency. Zaidi App has a similar model, aiming to map waste hotspots, actors and work with municipal councils to formalize waste picking practices, particularly the recognition of informal waste pickers.

Technological Innovations in Waste Processing. Technological advancements are also playing a role in Tanzania’s journey toward zero waste. Companies like SimGas Tanzania promote biogas digesters that convert organic waste into cooking gas and organic fertilizer. Tech innovators like Antidius Kawamala have come up with Digital Waste Banks. The country is also exploring waste-to-energy incineration plants that generate electricity from non-recyclable waste.

Recommendations

To achieve its zero-waste goals, Tanzania must adopt a holistic and multi-sectoral approach that includes firstly, expanding Nipe Fagio’s Zero-Waste Model to more districts and townships, secondly, the government should strengthen legal enforcement to ensure waste segregation and recycling compliance, thirdly, stakeholders should increase investment in Infrastructure to support waste recycling and upcycling initiatives, and material recovery facilities, and enhancing public awareness through nationwide social behavioral change campaigns, and lastly, formalizing the informal sector by integrating informal waste pickers into municipal waste management systems.

Conclusion

Tanzania is at a crucial juncture in its waste management journey. While challenges remain, there are clear opportunities for innovation and systemic reform. By scaling up initiatives like Nipe Fagio’s Zero-Waste Model, fostering circular economy solutions and financing, and enhancing community engagement, Tanzania can move closer to a cleaner, greener, and zero-waste future. Now is the time for collective action. Will Tanzania seize the opportunity?