"He began by receiving blessings as he bid farewell to his colleagues at the office, then said goodbye to his family at home, and his journey began at the Samia Suluhu Hassan high-speed train station in Dodoma heading to Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport, ready for a journey of approximately 7 hours to Istanbul, Turkey, for a high-level meeting in early June 2026. The meeting took place at the Atatürk International Convention Center in Istanbul, which turned into a hub for intense international discussions on the future of waste management." My name is John Kabambala, You are welcome to read it.
While 183
countries had sent their ambassadors, Emine Erdoğan, wife of the President of
Turkey, who is also Chair of the United Nations Zero Waste Advisory Board and
President of the Sıfır Atık Foundation, officially launched the 2026 Zero Waste
Platform under the motto "The Antalya Way: Zero Waste as an Action to
Combat Climate Change." More than 120 ministers and 200 mayors from around
the world filled the hall, with over 5,000 participants attending the three-day
event, which many experts called one of the largest environmental meetings in
the world. Among these participants was Mathias Lyamunda, representative of
FEMAPO organization from Tanzania, whose journey to Istanbul was not just for
celebration, but was a mission to find solutions to bring change to the waste
management system in Tanzania. This forum was timely, just before the COP31
Conference to be held in Antalya in November 2026, and it made it clear that
the waste issue is not a problem for one country alone but is a pressing
disaster facing the human family as a whole.
In the
historic city of Istanbul, where the sounds of the Marmara Sea's waves meet the
scent of ancient spices, Mathias Lyamunda from FEMAPO found himself at the
center of a major environmental revolution. From June 2 to 8, 2026, the
International Zero Waste Platform was held in Turkey, bringing together great
minds from around the world to find lasting solutions for waste management.
Mathias, carrying a bag filled with dreams for a clean Tanzania, entered the
hall knowing that this journey was more than an ordinary meeting; it was a call
for a change in mindset. Discussions began with enthusiasm, as community
leaders and policymakers debated the future of our planet. For Mathias, every
word was a seed of hope planted in the fertile soil of FEMAPO's movement to
fight poverty through better protection of our natural environment today,
everywhere.
FEMAPO
participated in this international platform, which was a hub for civil society
organizations, environmental advocates, researchers, and community leaders. The
main goal was to discuss strategies for sustainable waste management and
methods for transitioning to a circular economy, which is essential for today's
world. For Mathias Lyamunda, his presence there gave him a rare opportunity to
learn from the experiences of other nations and exchange knowledge with
practitioners from various countries. Through this interaction, FEMAPO was able
to evaluate innovative approaches to reducing waste generation and enhancing
community participation in environmental management. This platform was a
crucial arena for building networks with other organizations that can yield
lasting collaboration in establishing Zero Waste projects in Tanzania for the
benefit of all future generations here at home, starting now.
Every
presentation made increased the motivation to bring positive and revolutionary
change to the current system of resource management worldwide. Participants
emphasized that the most effective waste management strategy is to prevent its
production at the main source of generation. Various policies and programs
should prioritize reducing unnecessary packaging, promoting the use of reusable
products, and encouraging a culture of responsible consumption among citizens.
Mathias recognized that the success of these efforts depends heavily on
community participation, which is the cornerstone of any lasting change. Local
communities have a major role in separating waste, recovering products, making
compost, and providing awareness education to others. This was an important
lesson that Mathias was ready to bring to Tanzania to bring about a true, green
revolution today.
Mr.Mathias Lyamunda from FEMAPO
Strategy
for a Waste Reduction Revolution and Community Involvement
The
importance of separating waste at the household, institutional, and business
levels was seen as a fundamental and absolutely necessary step in this process.
Mathias learned that this step greatly improves recycling rates and reduces the
burden of waste sent to landfills or dumping sites. Without this separation,
other resource recovery efforts become difficult and very costly for
governments and organizations. The platform made it clear that changing
behavior, from the kitchen to the office, is what can save our environment from
excessive pollution. FEMAPO aims to use this knowledge to educate Tanzanians
that every piece of plastic or food scrap has its special place. This is not
just about cleanliness, but about respecting the resources we have been given
and ensuring they are not wasted but used for benefit now.
Another
issue that stirred strong emotions at the platform was the need to recognize
and support informal waste sector workers worldwide. These people, known as
waste pickers and small recyclers, contribute significantly to resource
recovery while creating employment opportunities for themselves. Mathias
realized that without these stakeholders, many waste management systems in
developing countries would completely stall. The platform emphasized the
importance of integrating them into formal municipal systems to ensure their
safety at work and improve their living conditions. FEMAPO now sees the
importance of advocating for their recognition in Tanzania as environmental
heroes deserving respect and protection. This is a step toward social justice
where their work is valued as an essential part of the circular economy; by
doing this, we will build a community that cares for humanity.
Circular
economy approaches were emphasized as a lasting solution to combat climate
change and current ecosystem destruction. Zero waste should focus on keeping
materials in use for as long as possible through recycling, reuse, repair, and
composting. Mathias understood that these steps reduce environmental pollution
and emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. At the
platform, examples of how products can be redesigned so they do not generate
waste brought a new picture of future industries. This is an economy that feeds
itself, where every end of one product is the beginning of another new product.
For Tanzania, this means opportunities for small industries focused on repair
and recycling instead of a throwaway culture; this will be a journey toward a
green future.
Circular
Economy and the Rights of Informal Sector Workers
For these
goals to be achieved, the presence of strong policies, regulations, and public
awareness campaigns is essential in our countries. Mathias realized that
without legal impetus and robust oversight, voluntary efforts may not suffice
to bring national change. The platform encouraged the importance of advocating
for zero waste goals through collaboration between governments and
environmental stakeholders. FEMAPO expects to partner with local government
authorities and national policymakers to strengthen waste management
regulations. This includes supporting producer responsibility systems and
encouraging investment in recycling infrastructure. This advocacy aims to
create an enabling environment where businesses and individuals are motivated
to adopt sustainable practices. By doing so, Tanzania can set high management
standards that will serve as a model for others to emulate and learn from.
Mathias
returned from Istanbul with a vision of how to introduce these approaches into
Tanzania's unique environment immediately. FEMAPO can use this training to
support sustainable waste management initiatives through concrete actions at
various levels. From developing community education programs that promote waste
reduction to source separation in urban and rural areas. Tanzania's situation
requires solutions that align with our culture and economy, while using our
resources wisely. The goal is to see every citizen become a protector of their
own environment through small daily actions. By educating communities about
responsible consumption, we begin the journey of reducing the waste burden
increasingly overwhelming our rapidly growing cities. This is the secret to
long-term success in the country.
The
participation of youth and women is another crucial pillar that FEMAPO aims to
prioritize sincerely in its future projects. The platform showed that
supporting these groups to establish waste collection, recycling, and circular
economy businesses can increase their income. This is a unique way to fight
poverty while strengthening environmental protection and reducing air and water
pollution. Young people have the energy and creativity needed to bring
technological change to the waste sector, while women are the primary managers
of households. By economically empowering them through these projects, we
create an equitable society focused on sustainable development, i.e., the SDGs.
FEMAPO will provide training and technical support to ensure these groups become
the frontline of this green revolution for the benefit of many, now and later.
FEMAPO's
Vision and the Environmental Revolution in Tanzania
Establishing
zero waste programs in schools is another strategic step to build sustainable
habits among young children in Tanzania. Mathias was inspired to see how
environmental education and waste separation in schools can nurture a
generation that cares for nature from childhood. Schools should be model
centers where students learn practically how to reduce plastic use and value
resources. FEMAPO aims to develop environmental clubs that will handle waste
management and educate their peers about the importance of a clean environment.
Through these children, the zero-waste message can reach deep into their
families and bring broader change throughout the entire community. That is
investing in the country's future, because habits built now will be the mirror
of the Tanzania we all want tomorrow.
Management
of organic waste through composting is a great opportunity, especially in areas
involved in agricultural activities in the country. FEMAPO aims to promote
composting programs at the household and community level to turn waste into
valuable compost. This will greatly help in climate-resilient agriculture and
improve food security for our smallholder farmers. Instead of food and crop
waste rotting and producing methane gas, it will be used to enrich the soil and
increase crop productivity. Mathias saw that this is a simple but impactful
solution in reducing the amount of waste sent to municipal and city landfills.
By teaching communities how to use these leftovers, we build a value chain that
benefits both the environment and the farmer's economy simultaneously, right
now, everywhere.
Establishing
model zero waste community projects is the final step to demonstrate these
approaches effectively in the country. These projects will serve as
demonstration sites to show how zero waste systems can work in reality. Mathias
believes that the evidence gained from these projects will help in scaling up
these efforts to other areas of the country. This will provide an opportunity
to learn from mistakes and refine methods before rolling them out at the
national level on a large scale. FEMAPO is positioned to be the pillar of this
change, working closely with local leaders and citizens in general. Through
these projects, we will see clear results of reduced environmental pollution
and improved public health in our communities for the sake of all our futures.
Mathias
Lyamunda's participation in the International Zero Waste Platform gave FEMAPO
unique knowledge and a new economic perspective now. By adapting this training
to Tanzania's context, this organization can significantly contribute to
reducing environmental pollution. This includes improving public health,
creating green jobs, and strengthening community resilience against
environmental challenges. The journey toward a Tanzania with efficiently used
resources and a sustainable future has officially begun with new strength and
vigor. Mathias Lyamunda and FEMAPO are now ambassadors of change, leading the
way toward a circular economy that will benefit our nation for many years to
come. The world is watching, and Tanzania is ready to show that it can be a leader
in the movement to protect our planet for all generations, end of the story.
Mr.Mathias Lyamunda from FEMAPO
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