Dar es Salaam. Young Tanzanian innovators are introducing groundbreaking solutions to improve the management of organic waste in Dar es Salaam.
Some of these innovations are already in operation, while others are still in the planning phase, all aimed at enhancing food waste management.
These initiatives offer multiple benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating urban flooding, and improving soil productivity.
The program is part of the Dar es Salaam Urban Resilience Project (DURP), funded by the UK Government, which seeks to reduce food waste, enhance recycling efforts, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and increase climate resilience.
Out of more than 70 innovators who participated in a competition, nine were selected, with three emerging as winners. According to the DURP team, these young innovators will receive mentorship and training, including international exposure, to further develop their projects.
Converting food waste into fibers
One of the selected innovations, “Harnessing Food Waste Fibres using Digital Waste Banks,” was developed by Antidius Kawamala from ROOTGIS, an organization based in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam.
“We have already started working on this innovation at a small scale. We collect food waste from households, and some people bring it to our office, where we buy it at an agreed price,” Kawamala explained.
After collecting the waste, it is ground and left to ferment. Using specialized technology, fibers are extracted from the processed food waste and used to make fabric products, such as shirts.
Additionally, Kawamala noted that they store the food waste in special containers and reward depositors with mobile credits. These credits can be used to purchase airtime, send SMS, or pay for internet services. However, he highlighted a key challenge: their processing capacity is currently limited to one ton of waste per week despite the high availability of food waste.
Connecting waste producers and processors
The “LEOLEO Guliosmart” innovation, meaning “just today,” was initially designed to help farmers and food vendors assess food losses due to spoilage. Over time, it has evolved into a platform that connects food producers with buyers and waste processors.
James David, the app’s creator, stated that the platform currently has over 2,300 users across Mbeya, Arusha, Iringa, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam.
“Our main goal is to connect markets, provide market information, assist with inventory management, and maintain business records to help users make informed decisions,” said David, founder of SANDC (LEOLEO Guliosmart).
For perishable and spoiled food, the app links users with processors who recycle waste into animal feed.
“We have over 20 waste processors in different regions. In Dar es Salaam, we are working with stakeholders to engage more than 300 livestock farmers who will benefit from the processed feed,” David explained.
Despite its success, David noted that they currently process only three tons of waste per week in Arusha and Mbeya. They are working on expanding operations to other regions.
Carbon trading through waste management
The Recarbonize X initiative focuses on adding value to waste and integrating it into the carbon trading market. The project’s founder, David Kazuguri, highlighted that food waste is often undervalued despite its environmental and economic potential.
“We recognize that the decomposition of food waste releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to climate change. However, with a structured system, we can capture and measure these emissions, enabling individuals and businesses to earn ‘carbon credits’ and generate revenue,” Kazuguri said.
Kazuguri, based in Dar es Salaam, has developed an application that connects key stakeholders, including waste producers, carbon measurement experts, waste processors (who produce compost and biogas), and carbon credit buyers.
Through these innovative solutions, young Tanzanians are demonstrating how creative approaches to waste management can yield significant environmental and economic benefits. By leveraging technology and sustainable practices, they are paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future.