Waste is Wealth and Health

Uncollected waste is harming the health of communities.

We urgently need your help to scale up a community-led waste-to-energy model that helps decrease disease rates, create job opportunities, bridge gender disparities, stop deforestation and reduce carbon emissions.

The Dangers of Waste

In Dar es Salaam's informal settlements, uncollected waste is a major health challenge. It is the job of Health Environment Officers like Kesia Barnard (pictured right) to tell people the importance of living in a clean environment. But, it is impossible for Kesia to bring about whole-of-community change alone - as she says: "I couldn't reach every citizen."

In communities living in informal settlements, it is a struggle to access the services that you would expect in an urban environment - such as running water in homes, safe waste disposal and collection, a sanitation network.

“I tried my best to raise awareness about the impact of living in an area which is not clean and possible diseases that can be caused by such an environment”.

Over 80% of the population in Dar es Salaam live in overcrowded unplanned settlements; a result of rapid urbanisation and population growth. There, most homes are constructed of poor local materials. Informal settlements are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, from flooding to heatwaves, due to poor planning and high population density.

On top of all the challenges residents face, the rubbish overflowing in the streets adds yet another stressor – and danger – to their daily lives.

Could you chip in to help communities create their own solutions to keep their streets clean and families safe from disease?

Donate here

Communities transform waste to wealth

In Dar es Salaam's informal settlements, communities are taking charge of change.

The Taka Ni Mali - 'Waste is Wealth' in Swahili - project uses a 'waste-to-wealth' model which organises waste collection, trains people to create solid fuel alternatives, builds entrepreneurial skills, raises awareness and provides information on the link between waste and health.

People in communities are trained to transform waste into briquettes as an eco-friendly alternative to wood charcoal. This helps to build community understanding not only of the importance of proper waste management and collection, but also, provides vital employment opportunities.

This entrepreneurship training also includes training to women and young people - the most disadvantaged groups in these communities - in creation of recycled products like bags and wallets from waste plastics and fabrics which they can sell to generate personal income.

Your support today could make a direct difference to the lives of communities like these. Will you donate now to support this work?

Provided waste management & recycling for

350,000

Reduced cases of diarrhoea by

11%

Reduced cholera cases from 102 to

Increased annual revenue of groups by

700%

Waste to wealth

Africa accounts for 65% of the world's charcoal use. Wood charcoal, made by heating wood at a high temperature, and used in households for cooking, is the most common form of charcoal. Briquettes are an environmentally friendly fuel that can be used in the home. They are made from compressed waste – ranging from food waste and paper to faecal sludge.

Briquettes are up to 15x cheaper than charcoal, allowing families to save money for other essentials such as education, and healthcare. 162 women, including 115 widows, have gained jobs in briquetting, earning income and strengthening their role in the community.

Waste to health

Through Taka Ni Mali, waste collection efficiency rose from 35% to over 90%, significantly reducing urban waste and environmental pollution. Made from this waste, the briquettes burn longer than wood charcoal, requiring fewer materials over time.

Less fuel use means lower emissions, leading to less air pollution and the associated health risks for respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

And less waste on the streets means cleaner water and environments. Over the two year course of the project, cholera cases were reduced to zero and diarrhoea cases were reduced by 11%.

Waste to opportunity

Widowed women like Mariam, pictured here, are transforming their futures through the Taka Ni Mali project. Entrepreneurship training brings them together to learn valuable skills in waste management – turning waste into opportunity. With new employment and financial independence, these women are strengthening their roles as providers and changemakers within their families and communities. Mariam is now earning income as a tricycle driver, having received Amref entrepreneurship training. Other women have set up their own small businesses selling products made from waste materials.

Briquetting also employs women and young people in waste collection, manufacturing and sales. This develops their skills in business management and environmental conservation.

Briquettes are a more sustainable fuel source for communities who rely on solid fuel. Here's how the briquettes are made and sold in Dar es Salaam.

This model works. But we urgently need help to scale it to reach more communities in Tanzania and across Africa.

If change is to be lasting, it must be driven and owned by communities. Taka Ni Mali trains local leaders to drive proper waste management, and equips women and young people with entrepreneurship skills. It is community-led and self-sustaining.