Story

In the heart of Arusha, a group of passionate youth Climate Champions under the Cisco Youth-Led Climate Action and Awareness Project are proving that solutions to environmental challenges can be found right within our communities. Faced with the growing threat of soil erosion caused by excessive sand extraction for construction, they chose not to stand by, but to act.

The Challenge

Like many fast growing urban centers, the Arusha community faces an ever increasing demand for construction materials. Sand, heavily relied on for plastering, is being extracted at unsustainable levels. The results are devastating, soil erosion, degraded landscapes, and long term risks to biodiversity and agriculture.

At the same time, glass bottles and glass waste pile up across communities, often left to pollute streets, landfills, and open spaces. The Participatory Action Group(PAR), together with Community saw the connection between these two problems and asked: What if waste could be turned into a resource?

The Innovation: GLASS TENA

The answer came in the form of GLASS TENA – Sustainable Construction Initiative: Repurposing Glass Waste for Plaster Mixing.
Instead of allowing glass waste to harm the environment, the Champions collect discarded bottles and glass materials from local waste management sites. Through a simple but powerful process, they grind the glass into fine particles, which can then replace sand in plaster mixing for construction.

This not only cuts down on sand extraction but also transforms waste into something valuable,ushering in a circular economy within the community.

How It Works

1. Collection of Glass Waste – Partnering with local waste authorities and community members, the PAR group members, together with the community gather glass bottles and waste that would otherwise end up as pollution.

2. Grinding Process – The glass is safely ground into fine particles, creating a sustainable substitute for sand in plaster mixes.

3. Training & Awareness – Local construction workers are trained on how to apply the new plaster mix effectively, gaining both new skills and new ways of thinking about sustainability.

4. Monitoring & Evaluation – The community monitors the strength, durability, and environmental impact of the plaster, ensuring it meets standards while delivering ecological benefits.

Impact & Benefits

• Reduced Sand Extraction: Less reliance on sand means soil erosion is slowed, protecting farmland and ecosystems.

• Waste Repurposing: Thousands of glass bottles once considered useless are now recycled into a valuable construction resource.

• Skills for Workers: Construction workers gain new, practical knowledge in sustainable building practices.

• Better Plaster, Better Future: The new plaster mix proves durable while being environmentally friendly.

A Community-Driven Solution

GLASS TENA is more than a construction experiment, it is a statement of what is possible when youth take the lead in climate action. It embodies creativity, innovation, and resilience. By tackling both waste management and unsustainable construction practices, In Arusha, the DOT Climate Champions and PAR group members, together with the community, are setting a powerful example of sustainable innovation for other communities across Tanzania and beyond.

Conclusion

The initiative shows how grassroots solutions can make a global impact. By turning waste into opportunity, these climate champions are reshaping the future of construction and environmental conservation in their community. GLASS TENA is proof that when youth reimagine challenges, they create lasting change for people and the planet.