Zanzibar island waste study tackles 230-tonne daily challenge

A waste management study of Pemba Island, part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, has found opportunities to work with communities to tackle a waste challenge that often sees rubbish burned or dumped in open spaces.

The study, carried out by RSK Environment (East Africa) Ltd in partnership with Lumen Associates and Patrick Matandala, found that more than 230 tonnes of waste is generated daily on the island, with 80% of household waste being organic. This provides an opportunity for circular economy solutions such as localised composting, black soldier fly production (for animal feed) and recycling, and livelihood creation through community-routed waste initiatives.

RSK was brought in by a consortium of two NGOs: the Lay Volunteers International Association (LVIA) and Oikos East Africa, to assess and improve solid waste management across the island. The work was delivered under the Green and Smart Cities SASA programme, which forms part of the Team Europe Initiative – a collaborative effort by European development partners to promote sustainable urban development in Tanzania.

RSK Principal Environmental Consultant Jemima Pellatt said: “The existing waste management infrastructure on Pemba Island is limited, leaving communities to do the best they can to manage their waste. This leads to significant amounts being burned or dumped in open spaces, which has implications for the environment as well as public health. The study has found that it is possible to strengthen solid waste management systems through data-driven planning, small-scale processing, community outreach and green job creation.”

Jemima said the extent of Pemba’s waste challenge has impacted the island’s tourism industry, which is vital to its economy. Tourism contributes 30% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Environmentally, degradation of natural landscapes and pollution of coastal areas risks undermining the long-term sustainability and economic benefits that tourism brings.

She said: “To gain a better understanding of the extent of waste management on the island and begin to suggest possible solutions, the team used geographic information system (GIS) spatial tools to map waste generation hotspots and infrastructure gaps across Pemba. This analysis helped prioritise interventions and revealed underserved areas. These data were combined with technical analysis, including waste characterisation, infrastructure planning and circular economy solutions. The team co-created a Theory of Change roadmap with local government, community-based organisations and the private sector. This approach ensured that the strategy was not only technically sound but also locally owned and contextually relevant. This roadmap will now be used by the local government authorities, LVIA and Oikos teams to guide the design and implementation of current and future waste management initiatives on the island.

“One of the biggest positives from the work was the overwhelming local support for the study – communities and locals not only supported in data collection but also shared valuable insights and voiced practical ideas for improving waste management on the island.”

The joint project team from LVIA and Okios East Africa said: “RSK’s competent and rigorous analysis, conducted during the study phase, was instrumental in developing a highly effective Theory of Change. This strategic tool has provided LVIA and Oikos with the necessary data to have a clear and focused vision. It enabled us to define specific and innovative pathways for organic waste recycling and optimising plastic management processes. The study represents a true turning point for our sustainability efforts.”

Jemima said: “This project marks a watershed moment for waste management in Pemba. By combining spatial data, community-led planning and circular economy thinking, the study has helped lay the groundwork for a system that is not only environmentally sound but also economically viable. The real innovation lies in how local voices shaped the strategy – ensuring that solutions are practical, scalable and rooted in the realities of island life.”