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| Haji Katoto meticulously sorts the bottles by quality and source. Photo: Bernard Bwiliza |
By Adonis Byemelwa
In the early morning chill of Dodoma’s Nkuhungu ward, Ndachi Street, Haji Katoto, a determined father of four, braves the biting wind and the rising sun as he scours the streets for discarded glass bottles.
Amid the swirling dust and dim light, he collects empties from high-end spirits like K-Vant and Hennessy, driven by an unyielding resolve to provide for his family.
Despite the tough conditions and relentless challenges, Katoto’s mission to turn trash into cash is a testament to his resilience and grit.
“I sell bottles from brands like Serengeti, Heineken, Windhoek, Flying Fish, and Kilimanjaro,” Katoto explains with a strong sense of determination. “I also sell large and small wine bottles—750ml and 330ml, of any design you need.”
Katoto starts his day by making rounds at bars and entertainment venues, gathering discarded bottles with the help of his agents. He buys a mixed bag of bottles for Sh5,000 and then meticulously sorts them by brand and type.
“The owners of liquor factories find it costly to keep producing new glass bottles,” Katoto says. “So, when you bring them used bottles, their job is just to clean them, replace the corks, and put on new labels to make them reusable.”
A Livelihood Amidst Challenges
Despite the hurdles—like delayed payments from wholesale buyers—Katoto manages to provide for his family. “I buy a bag of mixed bottles for Sh5,000,” he shares, “but once I’ve sorted them, I can sell them for Sh36,000, especially dompo bottles, which usually come in a bag of 333 bottles. But for Windhoek bottles, the price varies.”
Having worked in this business for a decade, Katoto has found a way to make ends meet. “I’ve been doing this for ten years now, and I’m getting by,” he says. “I don’t pay for the space where I store my bottles; it’s just a spot a friend of mine lent me. There’s a guard paid by the owner, so I don’t have to worry about security.”
Katoto's story highlights the resilience and ingenuity of those who find themselves in less traditional forms of employment. “When I collect the bottles, the wholesale buyers usually come with their truck to pick them up. Sometimes they take them on credit, but if the day goes well, they pay cash,” Katoto explains.
Environmental impact and economic potential
One of the notable benefits of Katoto’s work is its contribution to reducing hazardous waste, particularly glass bottles, which were previously considered worthless in urban areas. Environmentalists have long noted that glass bottles pose a greater challenge in recycling compared to plastic ones, which are easier to reuse.
The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has acknowledged the importance of such grassroots efforts in waste management. “Initiatives like Katoto’s are vital in addressing the issue of hazardous waste in our cities,” says a NEMC representative. “Glass bottles are difficult to recycle, but by collecting and reusing them, these individuals are not only cleaning up the environment but also creating economic opportunities.”
With rising unemployment rates in the country, many young people are forced to seek out unconventional ways to make a living. Katoto’s decision to embrace his work without shame is a testament to the determination of many to stay busy and avoid falling into destructive habits like drug use, which often leads to incarceration.
Katoto calls on the government to support hardworking individuals like himself by creating better conditions for their businesses. “The government should consider providing interest-free loans to help us grow our businesses,” he suggests. “Since these bottles help reduce hazardous waste in the streets, it would be great if NEMC could give us grants to support our work.”
A growing movement
Katoto’s efforts are not an isolated case. In Arusha’s Sakina Azimio neighborhood, a group of young people has initiated a project to reduce glass bottle waste, which not only helps clean up the environment but also provides them with a source of income.
Among them are Gerald Josephat, 28, who holds a degree in Industrial Relations from the Institute of Social Work; Mafita Jordan, 29, with a degree in Public Procurement from the Arusha Institute of Accountancy; Erick Matemu, 29, an artist and designer; and Alfred Simon, a tour guide. These young entrepreneurs have found a way to repurpose glass bottles that were once considered worthless.
Over the years, plastic bottles have become a common sight in the recycling industry, with many people collecting and selling them in large quantities. However, it’s rare to see glass bottles being picked up and resold after use. Once the drink is consumed, the bottle's value typically diminishes.
But the Visionary Youth Network, as this group of young people calls themselves, sees things differently. To them, wine bottles, whiskey bottles, Konyagi bottles, and champagne bottles are more than just containers—they are raw materials for creating beautiful decorations that can be placed in homes, offices, hotels, and entertainment venues.
“We’ve given glass bottles a new lease on life by turning them into decorative pieces and selling them,” says Josephat. “But we’re also helping to preserve the environment, in line with the United Nations' goals on climate change.”
Josephat got the idea to decorate glass bottles after volunteering with Raleigh Tanzania, a non-governmental organization based in Morogoro. As part of their 'Home Action' program, participants were required to come up with a project outside the organization to earn a certificate.
“We get the bottles from bars or hotels where they would otherwise be thrown away,” Josephat explains. “Sometimes, we’re helped by someone who works at a tourist hotel, who collects a few bottles for us and delivers them. Otherwise, we have to buy them from bottle collectors.”
Turning trash into art
Creating a single decorated bottle takes about two hours, including preparing the bottle and designing the artwork on a computer. Unlike artists who paint by hand, Josephat and his team use Adobe design software to create floral patterns and messages, which they then print on stickers and apply to the bottles.
The time required to complete a bottle depends on the complexity and number of colors in the design. “If the design is intricate and colorful, it takes longer to finish,” says Josephat.
A finished bottle, designed as a decorative piece, sells for between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000, depending on the order. “We also create designs based on special occasions like weddings, send-offs, or any celebration. For example, during last Christmas, we had a special product called the ‘Christmas Bottle,’ which we sold in various parts of the country, including Dar es Salaam.”
Josephat admits that the market is still small, but they manage to make some sales. Their dream is to expand and tap into the tourism sector, where Arusha is a key hub. “We’ve already sold over 30 orders since we started in June,” Josephat says. “But we hope to reach a wider market.”
On a good day, the group can produce up to 12 bottles, but this output is affected by the lack of a stable market. “If we get more orders, we can produce more,” Josephat notes.
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| Products made by the Visionary Youth Network include attractively designed glass bottles, giving new value to waste. Photo: Courtesy |
A call for support
Josephat calls on stakeholders, from the tourism industry to the government, to support their initiative. “We ask all stakeholders, especially those in the tourism sector and the government, particularly the Vice President's Office for Union and Environment, to see our project as unique and worthy of support.”
According to a 2013 study by Joshua Palfreman, more than 50,000 tons of glass waste is generated monthly in Tanzania, not including imported products. The study, titled “Waste Management and Recycling in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” reveals that 90% of glass waste is recycled by large beverage and bottle manufacturing companies through Kioo Ltd, while the remaining waste is managed by individual collectors.
Recently, Ridhiwani Kikwete, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office for Labour, Youth, and Employment, underscored the government’s dedication to expanding job opportunities in Tanzania. "We are committed to addressing the employment challenges faced by our youth," Kikwete said.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts to generate new jobs and enhance vocational training but noted the need for more support for informal sector workers like glass bottle collectors. "These workers are vital to our economy and deserve recognition and support," he added.
Katoto and the Visionary Youth Network are at the forefront of transforming waste into resources, exemplifying how trash can be converted into valuable assets while revitalizing local communities.