The “Zero Waste to Reduce Methane Emission” government stakeholders’ meeting took place at white sands, bringing together over 30 key government officials representatives from municipal authorities in from for Kinondoni, Ilala, Ubungo, Kigamboni and Temeke to tackle methane emissions from waste. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, with the waste sector being one of the largest contributors due to organic waste decomposing in landfills.
According to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, “Methane has a warming impact 86 times stronger than CO2 per unit of mass over 20 years.” A recent article from the World Bank enunciated that “In Dar es Salaam, solid waste is the largest emitter of methane, accounting for 55% of methane emissions from the city. Between 2024 and 2040, these emissions are projected to increase further by over 90%. However, it can be managed; by deploying established technologies at scale, it is possible to reduce up to 80% of the emissions from solid waste.”
Zero Waste presents a comprehensive strategy for solid waste prevention and management, aiming to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, increase composting rates, and promote waste prevention, product redesign, reuse, and safe recycling. Through community-based waste segregation at source, cooperative-led waste collection, and decentralized waste management, Nipe Fagio has set the benchmark for zero waste practices in East Africa.
We have implemented the Zero Waste Model in three cities across Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar. These solutions not only address methane emissions but also empower communities, remove social injustices by creating jobs for youths and women, wastepickers and community-based organizations key players in Tanzania’s recycling system.
We have hosted workshops and trainings in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam with the support of Trust Africa on how Zero Waste drives methane emission reductions. This joint collaboration is a benchmark and a commitment to strengthen African government agencies in addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges like methane emissions. Operating from the conviction that Africans must work together to set their development priorities, Trust Africa has been pivotal in advancing the aspirations of African citizens, supporting efforts like the Zero Waste program for a climate-resilient future.
In February 2025, we hosted a Zero Waste workshop in Zanzibar, bringing together over 25 key stakeholders, including the Mayor of Zanzibar City Council, the District Commissioner of Mjini Municipality, Executive Directors, Councilors, Sheha’s, and Waste Cooperatives. The goal was to strengthen their understanding of the Zero Waste model and its critical role in reducing methane emissions.
A key focus was Kijitople, a new neighbourhood where Zero Waste implementation will drive methane reduction and create circular economy opportunities. We also conducted intensive training for the “Usafi Taka Sifuri Chumbuni Cooperative” in Zanzibar, with over 25 members learning how waste segregation, collection, composting, and recycling at the Chumbuni Material Recovery Facility (MRF) are tackling the climate crisis.
Wilyhard Shishikaye, Nipe Fagio Zero Waste Project Coordinator explained, “The results speak for themselves—Zero Waste implementation in Chumbuni has already achieved an 82.3% waste reduction at Kibele landfill, meaning only 17.7% of waste is sent for disposal, a major shift from the past. This milestone was made possible through the support of the Zanzibar City Council and Chumbuni local government, which has backed the model since its launch in January 2024.”
Dar es Salaam’s rapid urbanisation has led to increased waste generation, posing significant management challenges. Traditional waste disposal methods continue to drive methane emissions, but innovative solutions exist. In response, we brought together key government representatives, all Dar es Salaam municipal authorities, and environmental experts to discuss Zero Waste as a climate action strategy.
The Zero Waste Model- Dar Es Salaam Case Study Report, explicitly shows that through community-based waste segregation, cooperative-led waste collection, and decentralized waste management, Nipe Fagio is setting a benchmark for Zero Waste practices in East Africa. In Bonyokwa, 95% of households actively participate in the program, reducing 16.4 tons of methane emissions annually in a community of 12,000 people.
Wilyhard Shishikaye added, “Specifically, in Bonyokwa, the well-managed segregation and separation of waste at the Material Recovery Facility has achieved a remarkable 95% diversion (source segregation rate), including virtually 100% of organic waste diverted away from disposal from participating households. Just as remarkable, 95% of households fully participated in the program. This resulted in a reduction of 16.4 tons of CH4 emissions per year in a community of 12,000 people.” These achievements highlight the effectiveness of the Zero Waste model in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while creating a zero-waste future in Tanzania.
Marie Kwirine, Nipe Fagio policy coordinator articulated, “This approach, which emphasizes waste segregation, community engagement, and landfill reduction, directly contributes to cutting methane emissions while aligning with Tanzania’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and global commitments like the Global Plastic Treaty.”
She also added, “The objectives of these workshops were to share knowledge and success stories from Nipe Fagio’s Zero Waste journey and equip government stakeholders with practical steps for implementation. We emphasized the importance of data recording in calculating methane reductions and showcased how Zero Waste contributes to methane reduction.”
Moving forward, Nipe Fagio will strengthen partnerships between municipal councils, regional governments, and community cooperatives to expand Zero Waste programs across Tanzania. Addressing methane emissions is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. By implementing upstream solutions such as waste prevention, source separation of organic materials, and composting, Zero Waste models can reduce methane emissions by up to 95% by 2030. As Nipe Fagio continues to replicate its success in Tanga, Dodoma, and beyond, the message is clear: tackling methane emissions through upstream solutions is not only crucial for the environment but also economically and socially transformative for communities across Tanzania.
