Residents and customers in Dar es Salaam can now earn rewards by collecting and returning plastic waste under a new recycling programme launched by TotalEnergies Marketing Tanzania in partnership with Arena Recycling Industry.
The initiative allows people to exchange plastic waste for points that can be redeemed for selected products and services at participating TotalEnergies service stations, creating a financial incentive for communities to collect plastic instead of discarding it.
The programme was launched in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday as part of efforts to encourage communities to take a more active role in managing plastic waste and protecting the environment.
TotalEnergies Marketing Tanzania Managing Director Mamadou Ngom said the initiative was intended to change how communities view plastic waste by demonstrating that it can have economic value.
“The programme aims to encourage communities to recognise that plastic is not just waste, but a valuable resource that can contribute to social and economic development,” Mr Ngom said.
He said every kilogramme of plastic collected would help reduce pollution while encouraging greater responsibility in waste management.
Under the programme, customers and residents can take plastic waste to five participating TotalEnergies stations: Bagamoyo Road (Morocco), Azikiwe (Posta), Samora Avenue, Shekilango (Ubungo) and University (Mlimani City).
The plastic will be weighed at the stations and points awarded according to the quantity collected.
The points can then be used to obtain a range of products and services, including items from Bonjour shops, beverages, lubricants, car-care products, car washing and engine-oil change services.
Participants can also redeem points for clean cooking energy products and solar lighting solutions offered by TotalEnergies.
For communities facing the growing problem of plastic waste, the programme provides an additional incentive to collect and return plastics while potentially reducing the amount of waste entering streets, drains and waterways.
Arena Recycling Industry Managing Director Hellena Sailas said the initiative would also support Tanzania’s transition towards a circular economy by giving collected plastic a second use.
“Through this programme, plastic waste will be turned into raw materials for producing eco-bricks used in the construction of houses, toilets, water tanks and septic tanks,” Ms Sailas said.
She said the approach would help reduce pollution while creating a system in which waste materials are collected, processed and reused to produce new products.
Ms Sailas urged members of the public to participate by collecting plastic waste and taking it to the designated TotalEnergies stations to earn points based on the amount delivered.
The programme links environmental protection with consumer rewards, potentially giving households, businesses and other community members a direct benefit from participating in plastic collection.
It also creates a model in which plastic waste is treated as a recoverable resource rather than simply material for disposal, while supporting the recycling and construction sectors.