Publications
INC-5 WRAP-UP REPORT A TURNING POINT IN THE FIGHT FOR AN AMBITIOUS PLASTICS TREATY
The tides turned at INC-5, and the way forward to an ambitious plastics treaty is now clearer than it's ever been. At previous INCs, the majority of Member States showed willingness to compromise in the spirit of good-faith negotiations, even as petro-states used multiple tactics to delay and dilute progress towards a meaningful treaty. This time, they fought back.
Zero Waste Model- Dar Es Salaam Case Study
For the past decade, Nipe Fagio has been at the forefront of driving systemic change in Tanzania and East Africa. Rooted in a three-pillar strategy—Data Gathering, Policy Advocacy, and Action—our work has influenced waste management, climate resilience, and social inclusion. This report highlights key achievements and milestones from 2013 to 2023. Available in Swahili, English, Portuguese and Spanish.
10 Years Anniversary Report
For the past decade, Nipe Fagio has been at the forefront of driving systemic change in Tanzania and East Africa. Rooted in a three-pillar strategy—Data Gathering, Policy Advocacy, and Action—our work has influenced waste management, climate resilience, and social inclusion. This report highlights key achievements and milestones from 2013 to 2023. Available in Swahili, English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Environmental Justice Principles for Fast Action on Waste and Methane
Environmental justice is key to ensuring climate solutions that are fair, just, and sustainable in the future. Up until now, and despite its importance, there has been no central set of values and principles to guide decision-makers in order to ensure that the right steps are being taken to incorporate justice into national plans for methane reduction. The Framework includes a vision for systems change towards zero waste, climate justice, and quick action on methane reduction. Furthermore, it outlines five EJ principles for the waste sector. It is also complemented with guidance for policymakers and checklists for NDCs that are anchored to the five principles. Successful implementation of organic waste diversion in line with EJ principles builds community, waste worker, and local government buy-in and demonstrates the practical effectiveness of these strategies, including important co-benefits in livelihoods and environmental health.
CLIMATE FINANCE: FROM HARMFUL TO IMPACTFUL - Driving transformative action on waste methane and environmental justice
Climate finance in the waste sector must shift from harmful investments, like waste-to-energy incineration, to impactful solutions that support climate action, environmental justice, and community-led initiatives. Despite the waste sector's significant methane abatement potential of 22Mt CH4 by 2030, it remains severely underfunded, receiving only USD 6.1 billion compared to other high-emission sectors. A just transition requires redirecting funds toward sustainable waste management strategies that promote economic, social, and environmental benefits. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) should align with the Environmental Justice Principles to ensure finance supports effective, community-driven waste solutions instead of harmful incineration projects.
Cutting Methane Emissions through Zero Food Waste Systems
In 2022, over 1 billion tonnes of food waste was produced worldwide—equivalent to around 132 kg per person. Food loss and waste is an urgent global issue with significant social, economic, and environmental implications. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, this represents an economic loss of more than 1 trillion dollars, affecting actors throughout the value chain, from small and large producers to vendors, distributors, and consumers. Outrageously, almost 800 million people suffer from hunger and 15 million children under five years old are malnourished. Embracing zero waste strategies linked with food systems is not merely an option—it is necessary to achieve significant climate and social benefits for current and future generations. Strong political action is needed to put in motion a pathway to systemically address food loss and waste. The moment to take bold, decisive action is now. Learn how communities work together to prevent food loss and waste through zero waste practices, while reducing methane emissions and keeping global warming below 1.5°C.
ZERO WASTE STORIES FROM AFRICA
Zero Waste Stories From Africa is a compilation of zero waste case studies from six different African countries. This publication celebrates the grassroots organisations leading these zero waste initiatives by documenting how their zero waste models work, best practices and the milestones in these projects. These organisations include: Association Zéro Déchet Sénégal, Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD), Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FOEN), Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), Nipe Fagio, groundWork (gW), Asiye-eTafuleni (AeT), Urban Futures Centre (UFC) from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Zero Waste Association of South Africa (ZWASA).
The Brand Audit Report 2023
BFFP calls on consumer goods companies to Reveal their plastic use by providing public data on the type and quantity of packaging used in different markets, and the chemicals in that packaging. End support for false solutions such as burning plastic and chemical recycling. Redesign business models away from single-use packaging of any type - including novel materials such as bio-based or compostable plastics. Invest in accessible, affordable reuse, refill or packaging-free product delivery systems in all markets, while ensuring a just transition for all relevant workers.
Annual Report 2023
Nipe Fagio had a significant impact on the waste management sector in 2022/2023, being able to move forward many, if not all, of its goals. This year, we engaged approximately 45,167 people in various activities across 183 sites in Tanzania. Notably, our commitment to addressing marine litter and the "Let's Do It" Campaign resulted in the collection of an impressive 8,231 bags filled with waste. The total weight of waste collected from all our activities amounted to a staggering 605,337.64 kilograms, equivalent to a remarkable 505.4 tons of waste. Nipe Fagio’s Zero Waste expansion has also achieved significant milestones, with adequate waste management provided to 5125 households in Dar es Salaam and 6005 Arusha and 1.2 tons of segregated waste collected per day in each Zero Waste neighbourhood. Our vision for systemic change is shaped by the powerful implementation of a Zero Waste system that is designed for Tanzania. These numbers underscore the collective power of our communities and partners in making a real and measurable difference in our region.
Zero Waste to Zero Emissions
As the climate crisis deepens, urgent action on all fronts is required to both eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to a rapidly changing climate. The waste sector offers a prime opportunity for cities to take action that will dramatically reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and provide substantial public health and economic benefits. The waste sector is the third largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions, whose reduction will deliver rapid benefits through avoided warming. In fact, good waste management practices can reduce emissions in other sectors, delivering more than 100% emissions reductions. Simultaneously, this approach, known as zero waste, can reduce flooding, deter disease transmission, improve soil health, and deliver economic opportunities. This report explains how zero waste is an essential part of any climate plan.
WASTE AND BRAND AUDITS REPORT
In the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in collaboration with 32,151 participants, we were able to conduct waste and brand audits in community and beach cleanups to highlight the waste composition in Tanzania. After analyzing 350,000 units of waste, the results show that, on average, 64% of the waste in the sample bags audited is plastic waste. In 2021 plastic waste accounted for 76% of all waste collected.
ILLEGAL TRADE AND SMUGGLING OF PLASTIC BAGS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY BLOC
Within the past 30 years, we have seen an increased acknowledgement and understanding of the impact that plastic waste, especially single-use plastic, has had on our marine and the broader environment. Despite such recognition, plastic production continues to be on the rise. Statistics show that since the early 1950’s the global production of plastic stands at 8.3 billion tons [1], of which around half of that was produced in 2004[2]. Between 1950 and 2021 it is estimated that 60% of this plastic has ended up in landfills or littered in the natural environment [3]. These numbers are not the only thing that has contributed to the global recognition of the impact of plastic waste. Global media channels have played a vital role in providing stark images that validate the impact that plastic has had on our marine life and environment in general. Videos and photographs of marine life withering away after being stuck in our plastic waste or after having ingested dozens of different plastic materials have increased our awareness of the plastic waste pandemic that we face globally.
The Brand Audit Report 2018-2022
The mission with our brand annual audit is to identify the world’s top polluting corporations. By gathering data on plastic waste collected at community cleanups around the world, brand audits allow us to challenge the plastic industry and demand real solutions. Our reports have revealed that the true driving forces of the plastic pollution crisis are the corporations producing all this plastic in the first place. This year, we analyze five years of global brand audit data findings. We also examine what the top plastic polluters have done - and failed to do - to address plastic pollution. Finally, we outline what we anticipate the next five years will bring.
LET’S DO IT WORLD ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Being an environmentalist is also a decision. A decision that makes a huge contribution to the well-being of the world— helping secure a healthy environment and rich biodiversity. The way in which environmentally-minded people work outside of their comfort zone—trying to find ways to create a positive impact despite the challenges faced—is also a decision. The year 2022 will go down in the history books as the one with the greatest challenges for so many nations— as well as for the environment, and ultimately for the entire world. Our collective decisions, and united actions in the spirit of togetherness, give strength and support in times of great challenge: through wars, climate crises, and economic recessions.
The #BrandAudit2021 Report
Over 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels. To truly “turn off the tap” on plastic pollution, corporations must stop producing so much plastic and keep fossil fuels in the ground. That’s why the #breakfreefromplastic (BFFP) movement is challenging the corporations fueling both plastic pollution and the climate crisis to Reveal, Reduce, and Redesign their products now. BRANDED Volume IV: Holding Corporations Accountable for the Plastic & Climate Crisis exposes the world’s worst corporate plastic polluters that continue to produce plastic despite its harmful impact on the climate, our environment, and our future. This report is a collaboration of Break Free From Plastic members, allies and all 11,184 volunteers who conducted 440 brand audits across 45 countries. Together, they collected 330,493 pieces of plastic waste, 58% of which was marked with a clear consumer brand. Special thanks to the new generation of youth activists around the world fighting for a livable planet, especially our Break Free From Plastic Youth Ambassadors. This report is dedicated to you.