Network says Malawi can turn waste crisis into economic engine
Malawi Circular Economy Network has said the country can turn its waste crisis into an economic engine if it urgently reforms waste management and embraces a circular economy.
Speaking at a business breakfast in Lilongwe on Friday, the network’s chairperson Olive Kawelama said investment in recycling infrastructure and green manufacturing can cut production costs, create jobs and open access to the $485 billion global market for non-plastic substitutes.
She said: “The circular economy is not just about protecting the environment, it is also about creating wealth.
“Malawi has an opportunity to position itself in a growing global market if we act now,” she said.
Kawelama said Malawi is far behind in recycling and reuse because of weak infrastructure and low public awareness.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change Principal Secretary Richard Perekamoyo said waste has untapped economic value from organic matter that can be turned into manure to bottles that can be reused or recycled.
“If we manage waste well, we can reduce production costs and open up entirely new areas of business,” he said.
Africa Circular national coordinator Elizabeth Dymock-Chavula said a well-structured circular economy can generate jobs, particularly in the informal waste collection sector.
“We need incentives to lower the cost of recycling machinery, investment in waste separation systems and support for local innovations,” she said.
Hara Women’s Group in Karonga stands as proof of what is possible.
Supported by Christian Aid, the group turns rice husks into fuel briquettes, creating income for members while reducing reliance on charcoal.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development warns that developing countries such as Malawi risk being overwhelmed by plastic waste due to limited recycling capacity.
