Final project report. Sustainable and complete waste management solutions for rural and semi-urban environments (SUWASO)

Abstract

The Sustainable and Complete Waste Management Solutions for Rural and Semi-Urban Conditions (SUWASO) project, implemented from June 2021 to December 2024, was a collaborative effort involving the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund (NREF), Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Stromme Foundation (SF), Engineers Without Borders Norway (IUG), and the local implementing organisations Rural Enterprise Development Services (REDS), Association Protestante de la Santé au Mali (APSM) and Association Malienne pour la survie au Sahel (AMSS). Building on the previous initiatives 'Green Jobs' in Mali and 'Trash into Cash' in Ethiopia, the main goal of SUWASO was to enhance plastic waste management in rural and semi-urban areas of the Global South by establishing sustainable businesses and inspiring innovative plastic recycling methods globally. In Mityana, Uganda, the project tackled plastic waste management challenges in a municipality of about 100,000 people. The implementing consortium included NGI, REDS, Human Brights Engineering, and Schippert Consulting. Key steps involved conducting a Baseline Waste Audit in 2021, engaging local stakeholders, and focusing on PET plastic, which was identified as a plastic fraction not currently being collected for recycling in Mityana, but with a big potential to be recycled in Kampala. Several plastic processing machines have been built and sourced through the project, such as two locally produced shredders with self-developed reduction gears, one baler and a bottle preparation tool to ensure a robust business with the opportunity to process plastic into the required and wanted qualities. Since April 2023, the Mityana facility has employed a manager, a technical engineer, and support staff. In June 2024, they registered their own company, Ashimoki General Trading Company Limited, to continue operations post-project. The facility operates two shredders and a baler with the potential to process more than 40 tonnes of plastic monthly. The business strategy focuses on increasing plastic collection from households and supporting other collectors by processing their plastic. Financial assessments indicate profitability if machines operate at 40% capacity or more. The project has established a scalable and transferable recycling model, empowering local employees and reducing plastic waste and emissions. Going forward, an annual production of at least 100 tonnes of plastic is anticipated, as the plastic processing company has received all necessary equipment and training to keep up a good plastic processing rate. In Mali, the SUWASO project, implemented in San and Mountougoula, addressed waste management challenges and high youth unemployment rates. The project focuses on collecting and recycling soft plastic waste to produce school benches and other plastic furniture, reducing plastic contamination, emissions from open burning, andcontributing to climate change mitigation by replacing wood with recycled plastic. The project has increased income for vulnerable women in savings groups, who are paid for the plastic they collect. Youth groups produce and sell the benches, enhancing financial resilience. To ensure sustainability, project participants have formed cooperatives to manage the production units. The project has also focused on quality assurance and safety, with technical assistance from the National Directorate for Pollution and Nuisance Control and Engineers Without Borders. Despite challenges, including security issues, the project has made significant progress in improving waste management and creating economic opportunities in Mali. The SUWASO project in Mali has conducted several workshops to engage local partners and stakeholders, including communication and marketing sessions, project launches, and experience-sharing workshops. To strengthen market linkages, the project developed a production and marketing plan, recruited freelancers, and organized promotional tours. A business calculator was created to evaluate the financial sustainability of the production units, indicating potential profitability if there is sufficient demand for the products. More than 150 tonnes of plastic have been processed in Mali during the project, with an expected processing of 60 tonnes per year going forward. The project has diversified its product portfolio to include furniture for offices, kindergartens, and churches to enhance economic viability. The lessons learned from the projects in Mali and Uganda highlight the importance of careful planning, adaptability, and local engagement. Building technical capacity among local stakeholders ensures sustainability beyond the project period, while involving local authorities and partners from the outset provides valuable support and cooperation, increasing the likelihood of success. In the plastic waste industry, it is crucial to consider the volatile market for both plastic waste and plastic products. A robust business model and diversified product offerings are essential for long-term sustainability. Given the limited budget for our project, securing fair prices for infrastructure and machinery investments was vital. We found that this was most effectively achieved when our local partner independently approached local businesses without disclosing the donor-funded nature of the project. As a last remark, focusing on the business model and planning for the project's survival beyond the project period is crucial. Both in Mali and Uganda a solid foundation has been laid. We recommend to carry out surveys a few years ahead, to evaluate long-term achievements and impacts. We want to use the opportunity to wish good luck to the local businesses established in the realm of the project, and express the hope to have paved the way for sustainable plastic collection and processing businesses, helping to remove plastics from the streets for years to come.