At Manjeri Skincare, our roots run deep in East Africa, and we are driven by a passion for uplifting communities and protecting the environment. When we learned about Taka Pesa through our partner CleanHub, it struck a special chord with us. This initiative, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania—a neighboring country to our home of Uganda—represents a powerful blend of environmental stewardship and community empowerment. Dar es Salaam is CleanHub's latest hubs and you can read more about it's progress here.
CleanHub’s vision for Taka Pesa, meaning “Money for Trash” in Swahili, is more than just a waste management project. It is a transformative mission to create a cleaner, more sustainable future while empowering women in East Africa. This initiative resonates deeply with our commitment to sustainability and our mission to honor and support the region we hold so dear.
The Heart of Taka Pesa: Empowering Women and Communities
Taka Pesa is an innovative response to the global plastic crisis and the need for gender equality in economic opportunities. The project centers on converting shipping containers into fully functional waste management hubs. These hubs are designed to process 5-8 tons of plastic waste every month, alleviating the growing burden of plastic pollution in Dar es Salaam—a city of over six million people.
The initiative’s most remarkable feature is its focus on empowering women. Each container hub is 100% female-operated, providing meaningful employment opportunities and fostering leadership in waste management. By championing these women, Taka Pesa is helping to uplift families, strengthen communities, and set an inspiring example for others to follow.
Who is The Recycler?
The Recycler began operations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2014 to address the city’s serious waste management challenges. Dar es Salaam, Africa’s third fastest-growing city, generates around 4,500 tons of waste every day, yet only 40% of this waste is legally managed and disposed of at the local dumpsite. The remaining 60% is burned or illegally dumped into rivers or the ocean, causing severe health, economic, and social consequences.
The Recycler offers comprehensive waste management and recycling solutions for all waste streams in Tanzania. By developing local and international markets for recyclable materials, the company has specialized in sorting and processing waste while collaborating with informal collection networks. Currently, The Recycler processes over 200 tons of recyclables per month and employs more than 40 full-time workers.
To address waste streams without local markets, The Recycler has launched innovative projects such as Biobuu, which uses insects to convert organic waste into protein and compost. Through initiatives like these, The Recycler is paving the way toward its mission of achieving Zero Waste to landfill in Tanzania.
What Project Did The Recycler Develop with CleanHub?
The Recycler and CleanHub have joined forces to tackle non-recyclable plastic—a significant portion of waste that typically ends up in landfills, waterways, or the ocean. By working together, they’ve developed a practical Zero Waste solution that ensures all waste is recycled, composted, or used for energy recovery.
CleanHub subsidizes the cost of collecting non-recyclable plastics, enabling The Recycler to purchase these materials from informal waste pickers at fair prices. This approach not only removes plastic waste from the environment but also creates a sustainable income source for over 1,000 informal recyclers in Dar es Salaam. Additionally, The Recycler collaborates with community-led organizations on beach cleanups and other initiatives to permanently remove non-recyclable plastic from the environment.
How Brands Support The Recycler’s Mission
Brands partnering with The Recycler make a tangible impact by funding the collection of plastic waste. For every kilogram of plastic collected in a brand’s name, one kilogram of waste is removed from Tanzania’s environment. This funding also diversifies the income of informal recyclers, empowering them to collect both recyclable and non-recyclable materials and increasing their financial stability.
Why Plastic Waste Management Matters
Plastic pollution is a pervasive issue that disproportionately impacts regions like East Africa. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste are produced globally, much of it ending up in waterways, streets, and open dumps. The environmental, health, and economic consequences are severe:
- Environmental Damage: Plastic pollution contaminates soil and water, clogs waterways, and disrupts local ecosystems. Wildlife often ingests plastic waste, leading to injury and death.
- Health Risks: Improper disposal of plastic waste contributes to hazardous living conditions, including the spread of waterborne diseases and respiratory issues.
- Economic Challenges: Pollution undermines key industries like tourism and agriculture, diminishing economic opportunities for local communities.
Taka Pesa addresses these challenges by turning waste into a resource, reducing environmental harm, and creating economic value for the community. This replicable model can inspire similar initiatives worldwide.
How Taka Pesa Works
CleanHub’s approach to Taka Pesa involves leveraging innovation and community partnerships to establish sustainable waste management practices. Each container hub is equipped with:
- Collection Points: Residents can bring their plastic waste to designated hubs.
- Sorting and Processing: Collected waste is sorted, compacted, and prepared for recycling.
- Community Education: The initiative includes outreach programs to educate residents about waste segregation and the benefits of recycling.
CleanHub also partners with organizations that ensure collected plastic is recycled or repurposed, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Learn more about Taka Pesa and its operations here.
The Women of Taka Pesa: Champions of Change
The women powering Taka Pesa are the heart of the initiative. Their roles extend beyond waste management—they are community leaders, educators, and environmental stewards. Through Taka Pesa, these women gain:
- Financial Independence: Stable incomes allow them to support their families and invest in their futures.
- Skill Development: Training in waste management, entrepreneurship, and leadership prepares them for long-term success.
- Community Influence: As visible role models, they inspire others to prioritize sustainability and take action.
Their efforts not only address the plastic crisis but also challenge traditional gender roles, paving the way for greater equality in the region.
Why This Initiative is Personal to Us
As a brand deeply connected to Uganda and East Africa, the mission of Taka Pesa feels close to home. The region’s natural beauty and cultural richness have been an enduring source of inspiration for Manjeri Skincare. However, we’ve also witnessed the environmental and economic challenges facing East African communities. Supporting Taka Pesa allows us to give back to a region that has given us so much and to contribute to a cleaner, more equitable future.
How Manjeri Skincare is Supporting Taka Pesa
Our partnership with CleanHub and Taka Pesa reflects our dedication to sustainability and community impact. Here’s how we’re contributing to the initiative:
- Financial Contributions: A portion of our profits is directed toward the construction and operation of Taka Pesa’s waste management hubs.
- Raising Awareness: Through our platforms, we share Taka Pesa’s mission, inspiring our global community to support this vital cause.
- Plastic Reduction Goals: As part of our goal to reduce 500 pounds of plastic waste this year, we are exploring ways to incorporate recycled materials from Taka Pesa into our packaging.
- Community Engagement: We collaborate with CleanHub to organize clean-up drives and educational workshops, amplifying the project’s impact.
What You Can Do to Help
Taka Pesa’s success depends on collective action. Here’s how you can make a difference:
1. Donate
Your contributions help fund the establishment and operation of Dar es Salaam's Taka Pesa waste management hubs. Donations directly support:
- Construction of new facilities
- Training programs for women operators
- Community education campaigns
2. Spread the Word
Raise awareness about Taka Pesa by sharing this blog post, following CleanHub and Manjeri Skincare on social media, and encouraging others to get involved. Together, we can amplify the initiative’s reach and impact.
3. Support Sustainable Brands
Every purchase from Manjeri Skincare contributes to sustainable practices and projects like Taka Pesa. By choosing eco-friendly products, you become part of the solution.
4. Volunteer or Partner
If you’re inspired to take action, consider volunteering your time or resources. Businesses and organizations can also partner with CleanHub to expand Taka Pesa’s impact.
A Cleaner Future for East Africa and Beyond
Taka Pesa is more than a waste management initiative; it is a symbol of resilience, innovation, and hope. By supporting this project, we’re not only addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also empowering women and fostering sustainable development in East Africa.
As we work together to make Taka Pesa’s vision a reality, we invite you to join us in creating a cleaner, brighter future for generations to come. Learn more about this transformative initiative by visiting CleanHub’s page on Clean Dar es Salaam.
Together, we can turn trash into treasure and transform our shared environment into a source of pride and prosperity.
