Fight against plastic waste: Dar es Salaam develops sustainable solutions!

Fight against plastic waste: Dar es Salaam develops sustainable solutions!

The summer school in Tanzania, titled “Unpacking the Plastic Waste Problem in Dar es Salaam,” aims to address the pressing issue of plastic waste in East Africa’s largest city. Master's students at HafenCity University have the opportunity to take part in practical activities that deal with the challenges and solutions in the area of ​​waste management. This initiative, part of the Dar Safi, Bahari Safi project, includes expert lectures, excursions as well as joint projects aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the Indian Ocean through improved waste management in Dar es Salaam, such as HCU Hamburg reported.

Dar es Salaam, with over six million inhabitants in 2021, is not only the largest city in Tanzania, but also one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is known for its impressive marine biodiversity, which includes up to 1,300 species per 100 m². This supports the livelihoods of coastal communities through fishing and tourism. Unfortunately, however, increasing plastic waste entering coastal habitats via rivers such as the Msimbazi Basin is posing drastic threats to these species and habitats, such as TRAIN points out. An estimated 22,500 tons of plastic waste from the city ends up in the ocean every year.

Challenges in waste management

The challenges Dar es Salaam faces in terms of waste management are diverse. These include a lack of infrastructure, limited waste governance and a lack of skilled workers. The current waste management system is not only inefficient but also financially burdensome for local authorities. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a common strategic plan for municipal waste management to improve the situation, such as TRAIN emphasized.

A pilot project aims to expand the city's waste management infrastructure, with a particular focus on waste collection and recycling. Strengthening waste governance at national level is also one of the key measures to find a sustainable solution. In addition to expanding the infrastructure, the capacity of municipal and academic actors should also be strengthened. This is also crucial to ensure the long-term stability of the waste management system.

Sustainability and social responsibility

Given the social dimensions of waste management, the project also places great emphasis on social sustainability. Disadvantaged districts in particular should be included in the measures in order to promote an inclusive waste management system. The integration of informal waste pickers and the creation of gender equality are also important goals. By promoting a sustainable financing system, waste management should be stabilized in the long term, which is crucial for the entire region.