Waste Collection Services in Mathare
Building a Cleaner, Healthier Future for Our Community
At Mto Wangu Initiative, we believe that every clean street, every properly managed bin, and every educated student brings us one step closer to a healthier and more dignified Mathare. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to transform the way waste is managed in our community—starting with schools and institutions and expanding into homes and businesses.
We are not just collecting waste. We are building a movement.
A Community-Based Solution to a Growing Problem
Mathare faces some of the most pressing waste management challenges in Nairobi. Uncollected garbage clogs drains, pollutes the Mathare River, and creates unsafe environments—especially for children. The lack of structured waste disposal puts thousands at risk of waterborne diseases, respiratory infections, and other health hazards.
Mto Wangu Initiative was born out of a desire to change that narrative—from neglect to responsibility, from pollution to protection, from hazard to hope.
What We Do
Waste Collection for Schools and Institutions
Our core service currently focuses on providing regular, reliable waste collection to schools and learning institutions in Mathare. We work closely with school administrators to ensure that:
- Waste is collected on schedule
- Children and staff are trained on waste segregation and hygiene
- Disposal meets environmental safety standards
- The school environment remains clean, safe, and conducive to learning
This isn’t just about bins and trucks. It’s about making clean environments a part of the educational journey.
Expanding to Households and Businesses
We’re growing. We’re looking forward to expanding our waste collection services to cover households and businesses in Mathare. Our goal is to offer door-to-door collection at affordable rates, so families and entrepreneurs can take pride in cleaner homes, shops, and streets.
Whether you’re running a small food kiosk, managing an apartment building, or caring for your family at home, we’re building a system that works for you.
Football for Plastic League
The Football for Plastic League, steered by the Mathare River Regeneration Network, was launched with the goal of combining the love of football with environmental conservation. This one-of-a-kind program encourages the youth and local communities to exchange plastic waste for participation in exciting football matches. It’s a win-win approach: fostering environmental stewardship while promoting active, healthy lifestyles.
How It Works
- Collect Plastic Waste: Community members and players collect and bring plastic waste from their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
- Exchange for Participation: The collected waste serves as the "entry fee" for the league’s matches and events.
- Play Football: Teams compete in thrilling matches under the banner of environmental advocacy and teamwork.
- Plastic Recycling: All collected plastic waste is sorted, recycled, or disposed of responsibly, contributing to a cleaner Mathare River and environment.
Materials We Buy
We accept clean, sorted items in the following categories:
♻️ Plastics
– PET bottles (e.g., soda & water bottles)
– HDPE containers (e.g., milk jugs, detergent bottles)
– Soft plastic packaging ?(e.g., PP flexes - Milk packages)
📦 Paper & Cardboard
– Newspapers
– Cartons and cardboard boxes
– Office paper and school notebooks
🥫 Metals
– Aluminum cans
– Scrap metal (sorted, non-hazardous)
🧴 Glass (in select areas)
– Bottles (clear, green, or brown)
– Jars
Note: All items must be clean, dry, and sorted by type for full value.
Incentivized Recyclable Waste Buyback
Turning Trash into Opportunity in Mathare
We believe waste is not just a problem—it’s a potential. Every plastic bottle, old newspaper, or used container has value. That’s why we’ve introduced an Incentivized Recyclable Waste Buyback center: a simple, community-friendly way for residents of Mathare to earn while they help clean up their neighborhood.
This initiative is about dignity, sustainability, and creating a circular economy—right here at home.
What Is the Buyback Program?
Our buyback program allows residents, and small businesses to exchange recyclable materials for an incentive. We collect, sort, and channel these materials to verified recycling partners—ensuring that what’s collected doesn’t end up in the river, the drainage system, or an illegal dumpsite.
Participants are rewarded based on the type and quantity of materials they bring in. The more you recycle, the more you earn—and the cleaner Mathare becomes for everyone.
Awareness & Capacity Building
Empowering Mathare Through Knowledge, Skills & Partnerships
Sustainable waste management is about education, empowerment, and collaboration. That’s why we lead targeted awareness and capacity-building programs designed for schools, institutions, community-based organizations (CBOs), and waste pickers across Mathare.
Together with partners like Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO), we are creating a powerful ecosystem of informed, trained, and motivated individuals and organizations ready to make a lasting impact in their communities
For schools and learning institutions, we offer training on waste segregation, hygiene, and environmental awareness. We help teachers incorporate sustainability into classroom learning and support the formation of eco-clubs that promote responsible practices among students.
For upcoming and existing CBOs, we provide organizational development support, capacity-building workshops, and opportunities for collaboration within the wider waste management ecosystem. Our goal is to strengthen their ability to implement projects, mobilize communities, and sustain impact over time.
Waste pickers, who play a crucial role in waste recovery, often work in unsafe conditions with limited recognition. Through training, safety gear provision, fair pricing awareness, and inclusion in structured buyback systems, we help ensure they are better equipped, more secure, and increasingly respected in their work.
Our capacity-building programs also extend to institutions and faith-based organizations, offering practical guidance on internal waste systems, environmental policy, and community outreach.
Together with our partners, we are fostering a network of empowered individuals and organizations who are committed to making Mathare cleaner, healthier, and more resilient.