In many corners of Tanzania, heaps of unmanaged waste sit smoldering in open dumpsites, releasing noxious fumes into the air and toxic chemicals into our soil and water. This status quo has long been normalized informal waste burning, unsegregated disposal, and over-reliance on landfilling. Tanzania is taking bold steps towards climate action by recognising the critical role of waste management in the fight against climate change. But beneath the surface of these everyday practices lies a pressing and largely invisible threat: methane emissions.
According to The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), “Among the most potent Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) is methane, a greenhouse gas with over 86 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide over 20 years.” A significant share of methane emissions in Tanzania originates from organic waste decomposing in unmanaged dumpsites and landfills.
The “Zero Waste to Reduce Methane Emissions” workshop, held in Dodoma, was part of a broader national push to reduce these emissions and align waste sector reforms with Tanzania’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and global climate frameworks, including the Global Methane Pledge and the Global Plastics Treaty.
The workshop brought together 18 high-level government stakeholders, including representatives from the Vice President’s Office (VPO), the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) and the National Environment Management Council (NEMC). Mr. Thomas Chali, Assistant Director of the Solid Waste Division at the VPO, served as the Guest of Honor and officially opened the session, emphasizing the urgency of moving beyond traditional waste disposal methods towards systemic solutions like Zero Waste.
The Zero Waste model, as discussed in the workshop, is more than just a waste diversion strategy; it is a climate solution. Participants engaged in dialogue about the intersection of waste and climate, recognizing that improved source separation, composting, recycling, and material recovery can dramatically cut methane emissions. Research has shown that organic waste is responsible for the methane emissions from landfills in Tanzania and applying Zero Waste strategies could reduce this by up to 75% (GAIA, 2022).
World Bank stated 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.”
These numbers illustrate the potential for Zero Waste to support the country’s climate ambitions while fostering job creation, public health, and circular economy development. In policy discussions, a strong emphasis was placed on the need to institutionalize source separation at the household and community levels, backed by policy enforcement and public awareness. Participants underscored the urgency of designating areas for Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in both urban and peri-urban areas to support waste sorting and resource recovery.
During the meeting, we explored the critical opportunity to set new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets focused on the Waste sector, an essential area for achieving methane reduction. Waste is not only a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but also a key pillar for climate resilience and sustainable urban development in Tanzania. Strengthening NDC targets around Zero Waste directly supports climate action, improves public health, and drives a circular economy. We are honored that the Vice President’s Office (VPO) has officially invited Nipe Fagio to collaborate in drafting these new Waste-related NDC targets, recognizing our role in driving systemic change through data, policy advocacy, and community-based action.
One recurring challenge discussed was the overlapping mandates between various government agencies involved in waste and environmental management. The workshop stressed the importance of harmonizing these mandates to streamline efforts and deliver collective impact. A unified approach would enable more effective tracking and reporting of methane reductions and support international funding bids and donor engagement.
With workshops and training sessions held in Dodoma, Zanzibar, Arusha and Dar es Salaam, with the support of Trust Africa, Tanzania is laying the groundwork for systemic change. These sessions have served as both platforms for capacity building and vehicles for aligning the country’s waste management systems with international climate targets. The workshops also contributed to a growing body of national data and experiences, providing a knowledge base for scaling Zero Waste initiatives across the country.
Ultimately, “If you don’t fix the crack, you’ll build a wall”, In the face of the climate crisis, Tanzania has a choice: continue with business-as-usual waste systems or seize the opportunity to transition toward a zero-waste future that aligns with both national ambitions and global climate targets. As Tanzania continues to implement its NDCs and participate in global climate governance processes, Zero Waste offers a clear, scalable, and inclusive pathway to cut methane emissions. Strengthening these efforts will require ongoing stakeholder engagement, data gathering, and policy alignment. Zero Waste is a people-centred, data-driven, and climate-resilient approach. Zero Waste is not just an environmental imperative, it’s a climate strategy.
