Pilot project of waste management in Zambia: The successful reality of Koinonia, Lusaka

The quantity of wastes globally is increasing, not only in the industrialized states but also in the developing countries. According to the report UNEP 2010, this is attributable to a demographic growth, new urbanization and a general improvement of lifestyle. Zambia can be considered an example of this situation, because is characterized by a significant economic and social development, but at the same time by strong economic inequalities. Referring to the waste management, the Zambian legislation is updated and conformed to the international guidelines for health and environment protection. However, the municipal solid waste management still appears fragmented, characterized by several critical issues and the capital, Lusaka, it is symbolic. The waste disposal is not performed as provided by the national law but according to costumes and habits deeply embedded in the population. In fact, the wastes are usually abandoned and accumulated on city streets, the methods of disposal are reduced exclusively to silting and uncontrolled incineration, even thought a dumpsite is placed in the district of Kafue and a more recent one in the district of Lusaka. In this paper are presented the first results of a work conducted in collaboration with non-profit NGO Amani, for a project of international cooperation, facing the introduction of waste separation and recycling in the Koinonia community in Lusaka. The study has, as main objective, the creation of a municipal waste management model that was effective, lasting and exportable to other African countries. The analysis of the territory and community habits, along with the involvement of the local population, have led to the success of the project, currently under implementation and realization, for the differentiation of product classes of waste generated in the community with a view to recovery and recycling.