Story

In the fight against plastic pollution, one initiative is making a significant impact in Tanzania. ECO-RECYCLING, founded by a former Participatory Action Research (PAR) member under DOT Tanzania’s  Youth led Climate Action and Awareness Project, is a community driven effort that transforms plastic waste into sustainable opportunities.

Patrick Kipesha’’s journey began on December 2023, after completing college. Initially searching for a self employment opportunity,Like many young graduates, he was eager to secure a meaningful source of income but was also driven by a deep passion for environmental conservation. As he explored self employment opportunities, he became increasingly aware of the rising plastic waste crisis in his community.

Walking through urban areas, Patrick observed firsthand how plastic waste had become a persistent challenge, with streets, drainage systems, and even Lake Victoria littered with discarded plastic materials. He recognized that rapid industrial growth had significantly contributed to this crisis, yet there were few structured solutions in place to address the issue.

Determined to find a way to turn this challenge into an opportunity, Patrick conducted a simple research study to assess the scale of the problem. His findings were alarming: an average individual was generating 5kg of plastic waste per day, yet most of it ended up being burned, buried, or dumped into water bodies, further degrading the environment. This realization ignited his commitment to seek a sustainable solution, one that would not only clean the environment but also create economic opportunities.

A Turning Point: Joining the PAR Working Group

Patrick’s breakthrough came when he joined the Participatory Action Research (PAR) Working Group under DOT Tanzania’s Climate Action and Awareness Project. As a PAR member, he worked alongside other youth , DOT Climate Champions, community stakeholders, and environmental experts to analyze, document, and address climate challenges.

Through PAR working group, Patrick deepened his understanding of waste management gaps, including:

• The absence of policies requiring industries to take responsibility for the plastic waste they generate.
• The lack of awareness among communities on the dangers of improper plastic waste disposal.
• The economic potential of recycling, which remained untapped in many local communities.

By engaging in community discussions, field research, and stakeholder collaborations, Patrick realized that tackling plastic pollution required a holistic approach, one that combined awareness, policy advocacy, and innovative business models to develop solutions.

A Research-Based Approach to Climate Solutions

As a member of the PAR group, Patrick actively participated in identifying wastemanagement gaps, engaging with local communities, and co-creating strategies to address them. This research based approach highlighted a lack of policies requiring industries to manage their plastic waste, leaving communities to deal with the consequences.

Recognizing the need for both environmental conservation and economic empowerment, he launched ECO-RECYCLING, an initiative dedicated to educating communities on plastic waste management, creating green jobs, and developing recycling based solutions.

Key Achievements and Community Impact

ECO-RECYCLING has made significant strides in its mission, including:

🔹 Environmental Education – Raising awareness on proper plastic waste disposal and discouraging harmful practices such as burning, burying, or dumping plastics in Lake Victoria.

🔹 Collaborative Climate Action – The initiative has partnered with various organizations to enhance its impact:

• “Nyamagana Yetu, Usafi Wetu” – A city-wide cleaning campaign led by Nyamagana District Commissioner Hon. Amina Makilagi.
• KUPANDA PROJECT – A tree-planting initiative under ASAP, promoting reforestation in Misungwi District.
• CISCO Climate Action and Awareness Project – Implemented in collaboration with DOT Tanzania, strengthening community based climate action.

🔹 Job Creation and Economic Empowerment – The initiative has provided employment opportunities for waste pickers, who now earn a living by collecting and selling plastic waste.

🔹 Public Space Cleanliness Efforts – ECO-RECYCLING has installed dustbins at five boda boda (motorcycle taxi) stations, encouraging responsible waste disposal in busy areas.

Future Goals: Expanding the Impact

ECO-RECYCLING aims to scale its efforts by:

✅ Establishing two official offices to enhance operations.
✅ Setting up a recycling factory for producing plastic tiles and bricks.
✅ Constructing public toilets in markets and schools, utilizing recycled plastic materials.

A Model for Participatory Climate Action

ECO-RECYCLING exemplifies how Participatory Action Research can lead to tangible climate solutions. By combining research, community engagement, and sustainable business models, the initiative is addressing plastic pollution, promoting circular economy practices, and creating green jobs.

The project serves as a powerful example of how youth led climate action can drive meaningful change. As ECO-RECYCLING continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the impact of community driven solutions in building a cleaner, more sustainable future.

#EcoRecycling #ClimateAction #ParticipatoryResearch #WasteToWealth #SustainableFuture