Training communities to tackle waste

How is this programme helping Africa embrace circular waste management?

Spotted: Africa contains some of the world’s fastest-urbanising regions. The global share of African urban residents is projected to grow from 11.3 per cent in 2010 to 20.2 per cent by 2050. This growth brings more opportunities for education, healthcare, and jobs. At the same time, waste management infrastructure Is struggling to keep it, leading to unsustainable practices like open burning that result in pollution and environmental degradation.

To tackle this, the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has developed the Zero Waste Model, which engages stakeholders and drives positive behavioural change in waste management practices. The programme is designed to create jobs and build infrastructure to support circular waste management across Africa, bringing together waste management specialists with communities and groups who work with waste, such as waste pickers and waste collectors.

GAYO employs and trains individuals in waste management best practices and other commercial skills, such as producing charcoal briquettes and compost from waste. This not only provides an income to unemployed and marginalised groups, it also keeps waste out of landfill.

By providing opportunities directly to local communities, the youth-led organisation is also reducing the vulnerability of groups that are most at risk of climate change. This includes women and young people, who tend to have a comparatively less adaptive capacity due to social and structural inequalities.

According to GAYO, in 2023 alone, its programme kept 170 tonnes of waste out of landfills and the company estimates its efforts saved the equivalent of 3.6 tonnes of CO2. Since 2019, more than 5,000 people have benefitted directly or indirectly from the zero-waste model. GAYO was the winner of this year’s Earthshot Prize in the ‘Clean Our Air’ category.

Written By: Lisa Magloff