Rwanda generates approximately 1.5 million tonnes of solid waste annually, but less than 4% is currently recycled. With waste management now a priority under the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the government is scaling up efforts to establish solid waste management facilities across the country. Environmental experts emphasise the need to convert waste into valuable materials using advanced technology and economic incentives. Here are ten innovative strategies being implemented in Rwanda to recycle waste and promote sustainability. 1. Converting plastics into diesel and grease Agruni, led by Jean-Paul Shiraniro, employs pyrolysis technology to transform plastic waste into diesel and grease. This process heats plastics in an oxygen-free environment, breaking them down into smaller molecules. The resulting fuel can power diesel engines, offering a sustainable solution to plastic waste. ALSO READ: Rwanda unveils $221m plan for waste management, clean technologies 2. Transforming waste into cooking gas Biological anaerobic baffled reactors (ABR) are being scaled up nationwide to treat wastewater and fecal sludge while producing methane gas for cooking. This system, already in use in schools, includes wastewater collection and treatment, biogas storage, and reuse. According to Fidele Nteziyaremye of the Forum of Private Operators for Water and Sanitation Systems (FEPEAR), the methane is separated, stored, and channeled to kitchens, reducing reliance on traditional fuels. 3. Producing briquettes from biomass waste The government is promoting briquette fuel as an eco-friendly alternative to charcoal and firewood. Made from compressed biomass residues such as sawdust and agricultural waste, briquettes offer a cleaner and more sustainable energy source. Projects supported by the Rwanda Green Fund are encouraging widespread adoption of this technology. ALSO READ: Investors weigh in on briquette fuel as an alternative to charcoal 4. Generating electricity from waste Rwanda’s 10-year climate plan includes waste-to-energy (WtE) plants that burn municipal solid waste to generate steam and electricity. Additionally, landfill gas recovery systems are being developed, with $36 million earmarked for investment. These initiatives aim to increase electricity access and reduce reliance on biomass. ALSO READ: Rwandans to use rice husks for energy 5. Using rice husks as fuel in cement production Rice husks, a byproduct of rice milling, are being repurposed as fuel for cement kilns. With a high calorific value, rice husks provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions and managing agricultural waste effectively. 6. Recycling plastics into construction and furniture materials Local entrepreneurs are repurposing single-use plastics into construction materials such as pavers, bricks, and tiles, as well as furniture. These durable products, made from items like jelly cans and lotion bottles, reduce plastic waste and contribute to the circular economy. 7. Converting organic waste into fertilizers Companies such as Green Care Rwanda Ltd process organic waste to produce fertilisers. Efforts are underway to transform 70% of Kigali’s organic waste into high-quality compost, supporting sustainable agriculture and waste reduction. 8. Recycling electronic waste There is a plan to collect 10,000 tonnes of e-waste annually for recycling since the current collection points can collect 4,000 tonnes of e-waste per year. 9. Turning animal byproducts into fertilizers A Slovakian company based in Bugesera District is set to establish an organic fertilizer plant that will process poultry feathers, cattle hooves, and horns into fertilizers. This initiative utilizes readily available resources to produce sustainable agricultural inputs. 10. Recycling garment waste The Ministry of Environment is promoting garment waste recycling through initiatives like Kunda Arts Collective. Fabric scraps from tailors are repurposed into clothing items or transformed into decorative pieces, fostering sustainability in the fashion industry. These innovative waste recycling strategies reflect Rwanda’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the circular economy.
