Sustainable Waste Management in Africa
Presented at Earth Talks on 15 January 2026
by Brizzy Mulwanbo
Across much of Africa, waste management is an everyday challenge—especially in fast-growing cities where landfills overflow and recycling systems are limited. During the rainy season, unmanaged waste can clog drains and fuel outbreaks of waterborne disease. But at Kabulonga Boys Secondary School, a large public school in Zambia’s capital, a different story is taking shape.
In January 2026, Rotary and Rotaract members from around the world logged in to an Earth Talks session hosted by the Rotary Earth Network Club. They heard how one school—home to more than 4,000 students and staff—has become a living laboratory for the circular economy. The initiative is led by Brizzy Mulwabo, a young engineer and president of the Rotaract Club of Lusaka. His message was simple but ambitious: if students learn to treat waste as a resource, they can transform both their school and their community.
“Waste isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of opportunity.” — Brizzy Mulwabo
Key Insights
A School-Scale Waste Problem—with City-Scale Impacts
Kabulonga Boys Secondary School generates an estimated 730 tons of unmanaged waste each year. According to Mulwabo, that waste contributes to roughly 876 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually—comparable to cutting down about 50,000 trees.
“This isn’t just a school problem,” he explained. “It’s a Lusaka problem. It’s a Zambia problem.” During the rainy season, poor sanitation can intensify risks of cholera and other waterborne illnesses. By tackling waste where students live and learn, the project aims to interrupt that cycle early.
Designing a Zero-Waste Vision
The goal is bold: reduce the school’s landfill waste by 40 percent within one year. The strategy centers on a purpose-built waste sorting facility on campus—already about 95 percent complete—paired with color-coded bins placed throughout the school grounds.
Each color represents a material stream: plastics, paper, metal, cardboard, and more. Waste is sorted at the source, making it easier for recyclers to collect usable materials. “We want sorting to become second nature,” Mulwabo said. “When recyclers arrive, everything is already separated.”
Key Takeaways
- A Zambian school is cutting landfill waste by redesigning how students handle trash.
- Color-coded bins and on-site sorting make recycling practical and scalable.
- Education and habit change are as important as infrastructure.
- Recycling revenue can directly support underfunded public schools.
- The model is designed for replication across Zambia and beyond.
Education First, Infrastructure Second
Bins alone don’t change behavior. Education does. Training sessions—supported by the Lusaka City Council—will teach students, staff, and grounds workers how and why to sort waste. The lessons extend beyond campus, encouraging students to carry new habits home.
Mulwabo emphasized the ripple effect: “If 1,500 students go home and start sorting waste, even one extra bin at home can change a household.” Over time, that cultural shift may prove as important as the infrastructure itself.
“If we teach students to sort waste today, they change households tomorrow.” — Brizzy Mulwabo
From Recycling to Revenue
The circular economy isn’t just about reducing harm—it can also generate value. In a pilot “dry run,” the school collected 100 kilograms of plastic bottles and 230 kilograms of old plastic tanks in just one week. Recyclers paid about ZMW1,300 for the materials, which the school immediately used to repair desks and chairs.
“It showed us this can work,” Mulwabo said. “Waste can support education directly.” For a government-funded school facing budget delays and red tape, that alternative revenue stream matters.
Youth-Led Innovation and Inclusion
Students won’t just sort waste; they’ll reimagine it. Kabulonga’s art club is exploring upcycling projects—turning plastic into jewelry, crafts, and exhibition pieces. Composting training will help students convert organic waste into fertilizer for the school’s maize fields, reducing the need for purchased inputs.
The school also serves students with disabilities, and Mulwabo highlighted how steady project income could improve support services. “This goes beyond the environment,” he said. “It’s about dignity, inclusion, and opportunity.”
“This project must outlive all of us to truly matter.” — Brizzy Mulwabo
Practical Takeaways & Implications
Kabulonga Boys Secondary School’s experiment offers lessons far beyond Zambia. First, scale matters: schools are ideal entry points for circular economy projects because they combine education, community, and daily waste generation in one place. Second, pairing infrastructure with behavior change is essential. Color-coded bins only work when people understand—and believe in—the system.
Third, early wins build momentum. The pilot recycling effort proved financial viability, strengthening trust with school leadership and attracting interest from recyclers and international Rotary partners. Fourth, youth leadership multiplies impact. By empowering students through environmental clubs and potential Interact programs, the project is designed to outlive its founders.
Finally, replication is the real measure of success. If Kabulonga Boys’ achieves its 40 percent waste reduction target, the model can be adapted for other schools—especially smaller, under-resourced ones. As Mulwabo put it, “If we get it right here, we can copy it everywhere.” In a world grappling with waste, that kind of practical optimism is powerful.
About This Earth Talk
Speaker: Brizzy Mulwabo is a Zambian engineer, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate. As 2025–26 President of the Rotaract Club of Lusaka, he leads youth-driven circular economy initiatives.
Date Presented: January 15, 2025
Links:
🎥 Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/82w-Iu1OKyU
🎧 Listen as a Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zXm8mZD1KxSiM5gdSqCue?si=jWEKuCEyRz2pevEThUOprw
