The issue of waste management remains one of the biggest environmental challenges faced by megacities like Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Among the different categories of waste generated, organic waste especially from markets is one of the most significant contributors. According to Ubungo Municipal Council Strategic Plan 2018/2019-2022/2023, 16 to 18 tons of organic waste are generated daily from SM2000 Market in Dar es Salaam. Data from the national solid waste management strategy (2018) portrays that organic fraction of the generated municipal solid waste is in the range from 50-70% with less than 2-5% being currently composted. Municipal organic waste available for composting amounts to 3-4 million tonnes per year.
According to World Bank, “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.” The need for effective solution has never been more urgent. Improper handling of organic waste is a key challenge that affects both the environment and public health.
At SM2000 Market, organic waste is often left unmanaged due to inadequate infrastructure. As a result, waste builds up, releasing foul odors that contribute to air pollution and create an environment where rodents and insects thrive. This, in turn, poses a risk to the surrounding community by spreading diseases and further contaminating the environment. Organic waste that ends up in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. Additionally, improper waste disposal leads to the clogging of water systems and contamination of both water and soil, exacerbating the city’s pollution crisis.
To address these issues, Nipe Fagio is implementing a composting solution at the Mawasiliano Organic Composting Facility. We concluded the year with the construction of the Composting Facility at Mawasiliano. With 95% of the construction complete, the facility is poised to reduce landfill waste, cut emissions, and improve soil health, benefiting both the environment and the local market community.
The facility is set to serve as a composting solution for organic waste at Simu 2000 Market, helping to divert organic waste from about 164+ vendors and supporting a Zero Waste model in the community! By processing organic waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, the facility will turn this material into nutrient-rich compost, preventing it from ending up in landfills where it would otherwise produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
Composting is a key component of the circular economy, which focuses on reusing and recycling materials to create a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and reduces environmental impact. By turning organic waste into compost, we are not only addressing the waste management problem but also contributing to climate change mitigation. The compost produced can also be used to improve soil health, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and support local agricultural activities.
The main goal of this facility is to establish an efficient and integrated waste management plan for SM2000 Market by diverting organic waste from dumpsites through composting. The facility aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Education and Awareness: Introduce and educate the market community on the new system of organic waste management through composting. This will foster behavior change and promote positive environmental values.
- Waste Reduction: Significantly reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, thus alleviating pressure on Dar es Salaam’s waste management system.
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Reduce methane emissions from landfills by diverting organic waste for composting, thus contributing to the reduction of the city’s carbon footprint.
The facility’s operation next year 2025 onwards will not only contribute to waste reduction but will also support a Zero Waste model in the community, promoting proper organic waste management practices. By composting organic waste like fruit and vegetable scraps, the facility will prevent these materials from decomposing in landfills and releasing methane—a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
The Mawasiliano project is a cost-effective way to reduce methane emissions, mitigating the dangerous rise in global temperatures while benefiting local communities. Addressing methane emissions through composting as the World Bank perceive represents a triple win: it abates harmful emissions, enhances resilience to climate impacts, and empowers local livelihoods.
