Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Zambia is currently undergoing significant developments and revisions. A pilot project funded by EU and implemented by the Africa Rise and SWITCH to Green Facility delivered lessons for the way forward. The lessons were presented in an event in Lusaka.
The pilot on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative in Zambia emerged from a broader regional effort led by Africa RISE and SWITCH to Green, in collaboration with the SADC Business Council and the Zambian Ministry of Green Economy. This project began with the creation of a knowledge-sharing EPR platform and the development of a comprehensive business plan for EPR implementation across the SADC region. After careful analysis, Zambia was chosen as the site for a pilot project, which was implemented in three diverse locations and involved approximately 10,000 participants from various backgrounds. This pilot adopted a “learn by doing” approach, focusing on key aspects of EPR implementation such as raising public awareness about waste sorting, establishing a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), developing suitable management structures, and exploring viable funding mechanisms.
Mwana Sishemo, the project manager from the EU Africa Rise Facility, highlighted challenges encountered, and lessons learnt. One of the most significant findings from the pilot was the community’s openness to sorting waste. Contrary to common misconceptions, most Zambians in the target area were generally willing to sort waste, but it requires time and education to perfect. The project also explored the effectiveness of different types of waste bins. Stationary bins, which are harder to steal or vandalize, proved more effective in ungated communities, while more wheeler refuse bins were introduced in other areas to cut costs. Multiple bins in one location automatically became a non-biodegradable and an organic bin. When the objective was to collect only non-organic materials, the project team observed that a greater quantity of plastic packaging was recovered with bins on non-organic waste. The project found when they simplified the sorting with a non-degradable, the collection rate for plastic increased due to the misunderstanding that plastic bins only target PET bottels. The project also highlighted infrastructure gaps. Zambia currently lacks sufficient material recover facilities, which complicates the process of sorting and recycling waste. Aggregators like Recyclemania, which manage waste sorting, often struggle with limited space to process large volumes of materials.
The pilot’s success suggests that with adequate infrastructure, public education, and a strong commitment from both the government and producers, EPR could vastly improve waste management in Zambia. Despite the progress, the SWITCH to Green consultant Sebastian Frisch cautioned against complacency, emphasising that tangible results have yet to be achieved on the ground. To move forward, the EPR expert called for continued collaboration between producers, municipalities, and regulatory bodies like ZEMA which currently revises the EPR regulations. Legal clarity with approved regulation and guideline would help stimulating investments into waste management and material recovery.
The Zambian Police reminded the audience that improper waste dumping is not only a health and environmental issue but also a security problem. Just as a broken window left unrepaired can lead to more vandalism, accumulated waste can attract further littering and illegal dumping, creating a cycle of neglect potentially attracting of pests or generating health and safety risks.
The event “Transform through EPR” that featured the pilot project was opened by Christiane Haziyo, project manager at the EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA and Bernard Crabbé, team leader Environmental Mainstreaming and Circular Economy. Bernard Crabbé emphasised the commitment of the EU to support the circular economy transition. EPR – he said – can play an essential part in Europe and in partner countries.