By Namwanga Patricia Kizito, 2025 Africa Zero Waste Participant
‘Participating in the Academy was an invaluable experience that has inspired me to pursue a personal zero-waste lifestyle and promote a zero-waste culture within my community. As I continue to learn and grow, I am eager to initiate tangible zero-waste projects and share my experiences and insights through waste education with others’.
My name is Namwanga Patricia Kizito, and I am the Programs and Communications Lead at End Plastic Pollution in Uganda. I began my transformative journey through the Zero Waste Academy in May 2025. The primary aim of the academy was to empower individuals and organisations with the skills, knowledge, and tools to champion zero-waste solutions across the continent.
The academy offered online sessions conducted through the Moodle platform. These sessions included informative tutorials that our facilitators thoroughly explained. Topics covered in the sessions included an introduction to zero waste, new strategies for waste reduction, debunking false solutions, and advocating for policy change, among others. Each session consisted of theoretical work, which was supplemented with assignments and live question-and-answer sessions with our facilitators.
In addition to theoretical learning, we participated in practical sessions where we identified different types of waste in our communities. Through the Waste Assessment and Brand Audit practical exercise, we were able to map the waste sector, both formal and informal, within our local areas. We learned about various composting techniques and strategies for reducing plastic waste, while also developing campaign strategies. Moreover, we designed project plans tailored to waste management needs in our communities.
The most fascinating part of the academy was the in-person session held from July 7 to July 11, 2025. It was truly impressive! Selected participants travelled to Durban, South Africa, for hands-on training, fieldwork, and to develop Zero Waste communication and advocacy skills. I was fortunate to be among the selected few, and this experience was truly transformative and life-changing.
Wrapping up my experience at the in-person Zero Waste Academy in Durban
DAY 1: We had inspiring sessions on Zero-Waste communication, the power of storytelling, and how our individual passions led us to the Zero-Waste movement. We shared our stories, which are now driving real action.
DAY 2: We visited the Early Morning Market, which provided an invaluable opportunity to learn how to integrate municipalities, vendors, and waste pickers into waste management systems, enabling everyone to play a role in preventing waste from ending up in landfills. We were also hosted by the Ground Work team, who champion Zero Waste in South Africa.
At the Botanical Gardens, we received hands-on training in nature-based systems that can reduce organic waste, such as composting waste from the Early Morning Market to produce compost. We conducted soil testing and observed soil health through a microscope. Additionally, we participated in a session in the permaculture garden, where we learned how various natural plants can support one another as both pesticides and sources of nutrients. We concluded the day with a discussion focused on building a business case for organic waste diversion projects.
DAY 3: We visited the USE-IT facility, where waste beneficiation occurs. This facility demonstrates that all waste can be considered a resource and transformed into higher-value materials. We explored various activities that reduce waste, such as composting organic waste for horticulture and permaculture, raising black soldier flies from food scraps, making bricks from glass, converting wastewater to safe water, piling plastics for buy-back programs, using wood waste for children’s toys, upcycling textile waste, and witnessing the construction of an electronics recycling plant. After the tour, we engaged in discussions with waste pickers from the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA).
They explained their working relationships with the government, NGOs, and private enterprises, as well as their working conditions and the challenges they face, particularly in integrating into the formal waste management system. We concluded the day with a discussion on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), examining the measures governments are taking to hold polluting corporations accountable and the effectiveness of EPR schemes in making a difference, including how governments and NGOs are combating greenwashing.
DAY 4: We delved into the conversations surrounding the Global Plastics Treaty, discussing the progress of the treaty negotiations and the UN process. We also addressed false solutions to waste issues, emphasising the importance of intense advocacy to counter these rising challenges. Real solutions, such as reducing single-use plastics and enhancing source segregation while applying the Zero Waste hierarchy, were also highlighted to tackle the waste crisis. The day concluded with discussions about environmental justice principles and the role of Zero Waste in addressing the climate change crisis.
DAY 5: On the final day of the Zero Waste Academy, we presented our projects. Each participant had the opportunity to share, and I presented a project titled “Waste It, Sort It, and Manage It Right,” designed to address the waste management challenges in my community. We concluded the day with smiles as we graduated and received our certificates.
My Personal Key Takeaways from the Academy
Zero waste is achievable. The Zero Waste Academy provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate that a zero-waste lifestyle is possible in households throughout the community. This can be accomplished through proper waste disposal in labelled bins with a strong focus on source segregation. Additionally, practical waste reduction strategies, such as composting and minimising the use of single-use plastics, can significantly decrease the amount of waste generated.
Waste education and advocacy for policy change are essential. Emphasising waste education is vital, as many people are unaware of the various types of waste and their environmental impacts. This education fosters awareness about waste management. With informed advocacy, policy changes are highly achievable, as communication and understanding of the zero-waste concept become easier.
The integration of all stakeholders in the sector is crucial. It’s important for different stakeholders, including waste pickers, communities, households, governments, and civil society, to be involved. This collaboration enables informed decisions that recognise the roles of all parties in the waste management sector.
Beneficiation of all types of waste is achievable. All types of garbage can be viewed as resources; thus, all waste that can be recycled, repurposed, reused, or composted should be treated accordingly to reduce landfill contributions. This approach can significantly decrease waste disasters, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Extended Producer Responsibility is possible. If all stakeholders, particularly governments and civil society, vocalise and take action to hold polluting corporations accountable, we can reduce greenwashing and improve the effectiveness of waste management policies.
Participating in the Academy was an invaluable experience that has inspired me to pursue a personal zero-waste lifestyle and promote a zero-waste culture within my community. As I continue to learn and grow, I am eager to initiate tangible zero-waste projects and share my experiences and insights through waste education with others. Together, we can contribute to a collective effort to reduce waste and protect our planet.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the GAIA team and all the dedicated stakeholders in this cause. Let’s work towards a waste-free tomorrow!
ENDS.
