By Charles Mkoka
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania's Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI) has directed four local authorities to include plastic waste management strategies in their annual plans and budgets to strengthen environmental protection and improve waste collection.
The directive covers Ilala, Temeke, Kinondoni and Mafia councils and was issued by TAMISEMI Deputy Permanent Secretary Deogratius Mativila during the launch of plastic waste management plans for the authorities, alongside the presentation of Plastic Free Challenge awards.
Mativila said councils should establish effective systems to coordinate, supervise, and monitor waste management activities, while ensuring collection and disposal infrastructure is properly maintained and operated sustainably.
He also called on regional and local authorities to strengthen cooperation with the private sector, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to mobilise financial resources, technology and technical expertise.
He said markets, bus terminals and commercial areas should be prioritised for waste separation systems, allowing plastic, organic and other waste to be collected, stored and disposed of safely and on time.
Mativila further emphasised the importance of public education on environmental cleanliness and proper waste separation.
ForumCC Board Chairman Justas Kibona welcomed cooperation between the government and other stakeholders, saying effective plastic waste management required the participation of local authorities, businesses and communities.
He called for greater use of reusable products, stronger waste collection and recovery systems, and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which places responsibilities on producers for managing waste associated with their products.
Kibona also stressed the importance of educating communities and students on environmental protection.
At the Plastic Free Challenge awards, Ilala Municipal Council emerged first through its initiatives at Kisutu and Buguruni markets and Kinyerezi Bus Terminal, receiving 6 million Tanzanian shillings.
Mafia District Council, represented by Mjinga Market, took second place and received 4 million shillings.
Temeke Municipal Council, through Stereo Market, placed third, while Kinondoni Municipal Council, represented by Afrika Sana Market, came fourth. Each received 4 million shillings.
A representative of the Mafia District Council said sustainable environmental management plans would help keep the district clean and safe, while thanking stakeholders involved in the initiatives.
The directive places greater responsibility on local authorities to make plastic waste management part of their regular planning and budgeting processes, rather than treating it as an occasional environmental campaign.