They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, this saying definitely rings true in the case of waste management.

If you’ve lived in Zimbabwe, Harare to be exact, you’re no stranger to the headline “Pomona dumpsite on fire”, you’ve probably found yourself choking from the methane smoke emanating from the site, whilst its one of our most prominent landfills I have often wondered how best the dumpsite can be handled.

In more developed countries such as Sweden, waste is used to generate electricity and in some cases, it is imported from other countries to ensure consistency within power generation.

Effective waste management systems, increase the potential for job opportunities as labour is required in every stage of processing waste.

Depending on how well its managed by-products include, organic fertilizer, electricity, biogas, pavers, and bottles made from recycled material.

In fact, in Kenya, a young entrepreneurial scientist is converting plastic into bricks

And Ethiopia boasts of the continent’s first waste to energy plant, this plant provides electricity to 30% of the countries population.

Whilst the issue of waste management remains an issue in most African countries more needs to be done to unlock the potential the industry possesses, it is a billion-dollar industry that thought leaders like Bill Gates have invested in and local government could benefit from.

Given how electricity remains a challenge in most parts of the continent more avenues need to be opened with regards to power generation.

Also, a reduction in the number of landfills can unlock the availability of land which can be used for other purposes either commercial or residential

Our youths need jobs our youths need opportunities to develop themselves so it is no question that a great deal of treasure can be amassed from all this trash question is, is there the will to allow for these ideas to flourish?