Zimbabwe has not had sufficient capacity to manage the waste generated in the country, and areas such as Mbare are particularly hard hit by the resulting plastic litter. In 2021, The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund funded ALITAB’s waste management to help provide a solution. This ensured the continued operation of two stations – one for collecting and cleaning plastic waste, and another for recycling the plastic.
From waste to value
In 2019, a mapping of waste volumes among approximately 25,000 households in Mbare was carried out by Médecins Sans Frontières. The survey provided deeper insight into both waste types and volumes, and was followed by information campaigns to educate residents about source sorting and waste management.
In collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières, ALITAB trained local workers to operate a plastic sorting facility, where plastic waste is sorted, washed and dried before further processing.
Once the plastic has been washed and dried, it is sent to a nearby recycling facility, where it is shredded and remelted into raw materials that can be sold either as pellets or in rolls. ALITAB also manufactures marketable products from the recycled plastic
“The more waste, especially plastic, we remove from the ground, the better it is for the local recycling project. Employees can earn money to support their families, while also being able to afford to send their children to school.”Ondine Francis, Training Manager and Designer at ALITAB
Challenging market for recycled plastic
Low prices for virgin plastic have made it more difficult for recycled plastic to compete in the market. In addition, political unrest led to the operator losing access to one of the recycling stations.
Despite these obstacles, ALITAB has continued its important work. Through local engagement and tailored local solutions, they demonstrate that measures aimed at the growing volume of plastic waste are also possible here.
