Introduction
- Mgitu has said that the value chain in waste is an area that can make great profits if people invest carefully, while calling on young Tanzanians on the streets to take advantage of the opportunity, saying that waste is wealth.
Dar es Salaam. While many young people complain about unemployment, finding themselves on the streets and hungry, opportunities in the waste value chain continue to grow, urging them to seize them.
This was emphasized on Friday, November 24, 2023, by Zephaniah Mugittu, Project Manager at the Elico Foundation, during a training session that brought together various environmental stakeholders in Dar es Salaam.
Mugittu highlighted that the value chain in waste is an area that can generate significant profits if people invest carefully. He urged Tanzanian youth on the streets to embrace this opportunity, stating that waste is an asset.
“With the rapid increase in population, and if infrastructure development and waste management are still inadequate, we may end up with a city facing cleanliness challenges,” he said, adding:
“Some people struggle to find jobs, but in Dar es Salaam, waste is a significant opportunity. Use your intelligence wisely. If you don’t want to collect waste, you can register a company that transports the waste,” Mugittu suggested.
Tabu Ally, who is involved in collecting leaves and converting them into fertilizer, mentioned that the non-governmental organization’s training would help increase skills and capacity in their businesses. She appealed for more education for youth, considering it a challenge they face.
On his part, Hilal Zahor, involved in collecting scrap metal and plastic waste, discussed challenges facing the business, citing the high costs of waste collection permits, which discourages many from pursuing it.
Triphone Richard from the Environmental Plus Institute stated that the training would benefit environmental activists, enabling them to learn various aspects and share that knowledge with their surrounding communities, helping to curb indiscriminate waste disposal.
The project was initiated by the Mayors Migration Council, aiming to increase opportunities in the waste value chain.
