Plastic waste in the Indian Ocean: Students look for solutions in Tanzania

Plastic waste in the Indian Ocean: Students look for solutions in Tanzania

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental problems, especially in coastal cities, where it is detrimental to infrastructure and poses significant environmental and health risks. In East Africa's Dar es Salaam, one of the fastest-growing urban centers, ever-increasing plastic waste is overwhelming existing drainage systems and contributing to serious marine pollution in the Indian Ocean. Not only does this have a detrimental impact on marine ecosystems, but it also threatens public health and local livelihoods. HafenCity University Hamburg has now taken on this challenge and is planning a summer school that deals with the plastic waste crisis in this region.

In the period from September 15 to 19, 2025, five master's students from HafenCity University will take part in the summer school entitled “Unpacking the Plastic Waste Problem in Dar es Salaam” together with 20 Tanzanian students at Ardhi University in Dar es Salaam. The program enables participants to examine local conditions regarding plastic waste in detail and develop sustainable solution strategies. As part of a co-learning format, the focus is on exchange between students.

Interdisciplinary approaches and stakeholder engagement

The summer school is complemented by lectures from local and international experts. Participants are also given the opportunity to present their findings in the form of case studies and take part in group discussions. A central element of the program are excursions and group tasks that serve to gain an even deeper understanding of the challenges and possible solutions when dealing with plastic waste. This practical approach is an important part of the Dar Safi, Bahari Safi project at HafenCity University, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.

Various institutions are working together on the project, including Ardhi University in Tanzania, UN-Habitat from Kenya, the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association-Tanzania and SweepSmart from the Netherlands. The projects focus on three main pillars: policy reform, infrastructure development and capacity building. A key goal is to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the Indian Ocean by improving the waste management system in Dar es Salaam.

Education for a sustainable future

The summer school directly contributes to capacity building by engaging the young scientists in practice-oriented learning and systems thinking. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the plastic waste problem in urban contexts. This includes analyzing the plastic value chain, which extends from production and consumption through collection and processing to disposal. In addition, institutional and policy challenges as well as the socio-economic consequences of plastic pollution on various communities are also addressed.

The initiative promotes critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of appropriate, long-term solutions that take into account both local conditions and global sustainability goals. These approaches are essential to effectively combat the challenges of plastic pollution and improve the quality of life in Dar es Salaam and beyond. Sustainable development requires committed actors - this approach could be groundbreaking for future initiatives in the fight against plastic waste.

For further information and details about the summer school, please visit HafenCity University Hamburg.