Zero Waste Africa CEO calls for collective action in sustainable waste management

UGANDA – The Chief Executive Officer of Zero Waste Africa, Mr. Idro Taban Jr., has urged all stakeholders to unite in addressing Uganda’s escalating waste management challenge.

Speaking at the 2nd Edition of the Uganda Environment Forum, held under the Taasa Obutonde campaign, Mr. Taban emphasized that sustainable waste management requires not just policy reforms but also widespread behavioral change and collaboration across society.

The forum, organized by Zero Waste Africa in partnership with Next Media Group, provided a platform for dialogue among policymakers, environmental experts, local authorities, and private sector players.

This year’s theme, “Sustainable Waste Management in Our Cities: Policy, Practice, and Partnership,” highlighted the growing need for cities to adopt cleaner, smarter, and more efficient systems for handling waste.

Mr. Taban noted that poor waste management remains one of Uganda’s most pressing environmental concerns, with urban centers struggling to cope with mounting volumes of unmanaged solid waste.

He explained that the partnership between Zero Waste Africa and Next Media aims to harness the power of communication and civic engagement to influence positive behavioral shifts at both community and institutional levels.

A key highlight of the forum was the launch of a National Waste Management Campaign, set to run for the next three to five years.

The campaign seeks to inspire Ugandans to take personal responsibility for waste generation and disposal while promoting recycling, segregation, and proper waste handling at the household level.

“Achieving sustainability goes beyond enforcing policies, it starts with how each individual views and handles waste,” Mr. Taban stated.

He further pointed out that many waste challenges stem from long-standing cultural attitudes and poor awareness, underscoring the importance of education and continuous public engagement.

Zero Waste Africa is working to connect stakeholders, from waste collectors and municipal councils to private investors and environmental NGOs, to build coordinated and scalable solutions.

Similar collaborative initiatives are emerging across Africa. In Kenya, Nairobi Recycles has partnered with UN-Habitat to promote household waste segregation and recycling education, while in Ghana, Zoomlion Foundation recently launched its Waste-to-Wealth program to convert organic waste into fertilizer and biogas.

Mr. Taban concluded on an optimistic note, stating that through consistency, partnerships, and a shared sense of responsibility, Uganda can achieve sustainable, efficient waste management by 2025 and beyond.

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