In the heart of Kinshasa, a new initiative is taking shape to tackle the city's waste management crisis. Joyce Kambele, founder of the Mazingira foundation, is determined to transform the city's approach to waste, turning what was once considered a problem into a valuable resource. With Kinshasa producing around 10 tons of waste daily, Kambele's innovative approach focuses on sensitizing the population, particularly the youth, to the importance of proper waste management.
Kambele's strategy involves a multi-faceted approach, combining photography and education in schools to raise awareness about environmental issues. She emphasizes that simply collecting waste is not enough; a sustained effort to engage the community is crucial to preventing the problem from recurring. By educating people about the consequences of pollution, Mazingira aims to inspire behavioral change and encourage individuals to take ownership of waste management in their communities.
According to Kambele, waste becomes a resource when a concrete solution is found to collect, process, and utilize it. Mazingira's goal is to examine how certain types of waste, particularly plastics, can be transformed into useful materials that support local economic activities. This involves assessing the cost, market demand, and environmental benefits of recycling waste. While the foundation does not yet have a fully operational processing chain, Kambele is optimistic about the potential for creating a sustainable waste management system.
The Mazingira foundation recognizes that addressing Kinshasa's waste management crisis requires a collaborative effort from various stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies, and local communities. Kambele believes that her organization can play a vital role in this collective effort, but acknowledges that the scope of the problem necessitates a cautious and well-planned approach. To this end, Mazingira is exploring partnerships with local actors to develop a project that can be adapted to the city's specific needs.
President Tshisekedi's recent establishment of a Task Force to tackle Kinshasa's insalubrity has garnered attention from Mazingira. While the foundation has not yet partnered with the Task Force, Kambele expresses interest in engaging with the government and other stakeholders to explore potential areas of collaboration. She emphasizes that any contribution from Mazingira will depend on a thorough assessment of the organization's capabilities and the needs of the community.
Kambele identifies education and community engagement as essential components of a sustainable waste management strategy. She notes that current policies often focus on collecting waste, but neglect the importance of education, infrastructure, and community participation. Mazingira's approach seeks to address these gaps by promoting a culture of environmental responsibility and providing opportunities for economic empowerment, particularly for young people and women.
As Mazingira looks to expand its operations beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kambele acknowledges that adapting the organization's model to different contexts will be crucial. She is optimistic that the foundation's innovative approach can be replicated in other African cities, such as Lagos, Abidjan, Dakar, or Nairobi, but recognizes that each context will require careful consideration and adaptation.
Key points
- Mazingira's approach focuses on transforming waste into a resource, promoting education and community engagement, and providing opportunities for economic empowerment.
