WASTE: ESWATINI'S HIDDEN GOLD

On March 24 and 25, 2025, Esibayeni Lodge played host to a transformative seminar on waste management and the circular economy in Eswatini. Led by the Eswatini Environment Authority, the Institute of Waste Management in Eswatini and other supportive partners, the seminar had discussions ranging from hazardous waste management to shifting behaviours towards responsible waste disposal. The event brought together policymakers, industry experts and community members young and old determined to reshape the future of waste in the country.

The hidden impact of waste in Eswatini

One of the most interesting facts revealed by experts from the Ozone Unit in the Eswatini Environment Authority was that over 50 per cent of Eswatini’s hydrofluorocarbon (HCF) emissions come from neglected or thrown away electrical appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

These emissions, which linger in the atmosphere for a very long time, contribute significantly to climate change. What’s more, of the emissions produced in Eswatini, only 10 per cent originate within the country, while 80 per cent are imported from South Africa and 10 per cent from Mozambique.

This insight underscores a crucial point that waste isn’t just an environmental concern; it is deeply connected to national and regional economic systems. By managing waste more effectively, Eswatini can reduce emissions, conserve resources and even create new economic opportunities.

The circular economy: A pathway to wealth

One of the seminar’s most thought-provoking discussions centred on the concept of moving from a linear economy where products are used and then discarded to a circular economy, where waste is repurposed and reintegrated into the system. Instead of treating waste as useless, we should see it as valuable. As one participant put it: “Everything we call waste should actually be called money.” This shift in perspective opens the door to numerous entrepreneurial opportunities in waste management.

Hazardous waste, for instance, is a largely untapped sector in Eswatini with significant economic potential. While it poses risks to health and the environment, properly managed hazardous waste can be a lucrative industry. Investing in safe disposal and recycling facilities could transform waste into a sustainable business venture, creating jobs and improving public health.

Despite the potential and enthusiasm for a circular economy, Eswatini still faces significant infrastructural challenges in waste management. The countrycurrently has only five licensed landfills and three dumpsites, two of which are privately owned, yet we have 59 tinkhundla centres. This lack of proper waste disposal sites has led to an alarming trend, open burning.

Open burning of waste is a common practice, but it contributes significantly to carbon emissions and air pollution, posing severe health risks to communities. To combat this, stakeholders at the seminar called for the establishment of more waste management centres, particularly at tinkhundla centres, where local leadership can play a crucial role in fostering better waste management practices. They also emphasised the need for partnerships between municipalities, businesses and communities to improve waste management.

Changing attitudes towards waste

Beyond infrastructure, behaviour change is fundamental to improving waste management. The seminar raised an important question: why are people comfortable with littering? The answer lies in education, incentives and community involvement.

To encourage better waste disposal habits, Eswatini needs to introduce incentive-based programmes that reward responsible waste management. This could include initiatives like deposit-refund schemes for recyclables or community-led waste collection programs that provide financial benefits to participants. Additionally, traditional leaders must be empowered with waste management skills, ensuring that local communities take ownership of their waste. One particularly concerning issue highlighted during the seminar was the state of healthcare risk waste management in Eswatini. The last comprehensive study on this issue was conducted in 2002, more than two decades ago. Given the advancements in medical technology and the increased demand for healthcare services, it is critical to reassess and update waste management practices in hospitals and clinics.

Solving Eswatini’s waste problem isn’t just an environmental necessity, it’s also a potential solution to social issues like unemployment. Waste management and recycling industries have the capacity to create numerous jobs, from collection and sorting to processing and repurposing materials. By investing in this sector, Eswatini can unlock a wealth of employment opportunities, particularly for young people and marginaliased communities.

Call to action: Be part of the solution

The discussions at Esibayeni Lodge made one thing abundantly clear, waste is not just trash; it is an untapped resource with immense potential. Whether you’re a policymaker, business owner or an everyday citizen, you have a role to play in transforming Eswatini’s waste management landscape.

Start small: recycle at home, support local waste management initiatives or even consider starting a business in waste repurposing. The shift to a circular economy won’t happen overnight, but with collective action and innovative thinking, Eswatini can turn waste into wealth, ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.

As the seminar concluded, one message resonated with everyone in the room, waste is not the enemy. It is an opportunity waiting to be seized. The question is, will you be part of the change?

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