Turning plastic into opportunity: Reimagining waste in Victoria Falls

Image © Shutterstock/CECIL BO DZWOWA

Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe, is a natural wonder, known for its abundant wildlife, the people, its environment, and biodiversity. However, increasing plastic waste has disrupted this delicate balance, creating risks for animals and local communities, and affecting tourism by polluting natural landscapes.
 
Ele-Collection is a community‑run organisation based in Victoria Falls that seeks to address this. It works with local women who collect and sort plastic waste before it reaches the rivers, forests, and national parks. Ele-Collection then recycles it into an aggregate that can be mixed with building mortar. “By giving plastic value, we turn a force harming ecosystems into a livelihood that helps protect them,”[1] says Martha Nyatanga, Ele-Collection’s compliance officer.
 
Every morning, Ele-Collection supports women-led teams to travel through neighbourhoods, open spaces, and pathways around Victoria Falls to collect discarded plastic. Ele‑Collection trains them to identify different types of plastics and provides protective equipment, transport, and a hot lunch.[2] Once the women collect and sort the plastic, it is then processed using Plazrok technology – the first process of its kind in Africa. Through this system, plastic waste is shredded into small pieces, mixed with crushed glass, and then heated until it binds together, forming small, stonelike pellets. These pellets can then be mixed with cement and water to make concrete that is used in construction projects.
 
This locks plastic away for good and prevents it from re-entering the environment.[3] Through this system, collection teams have removed 142 tonnes of plastic from national parks and dump sites over the years, creating healthier habitats for local species.[4] So, not only does the work enable the women to generate an income, support their families, and restore the balance in the nature around them, it also provides a useful application of what would otherwise be a waste product.
 
Many collectors describe how joining the team rekindled a sense of purpose. Working alongside sisters, mothers, and neighbours, they contribute to cleaner ecosystems and create stronger support networks for their families.[5] As more women share their experiences and interest, support is growing. Local leaders are helping identify areas heavily affected by waste, and new collectors are joining the initiative.[6]
 
Looking ahead, CEO Simon Teede aims to expand its work across the wider KAZA region – promoting a sustainable future for this ecologically significant area. It is clear that Ele-Collection is showing how to turn waste into opportunity.
 
Oak Foundation supports Ele-Collection through a grant from our Zimbabwe Programme to The Elephant Crew Foundation. Watch Ele-Collection’s video here.

[1] Ele‑Collection, Home <https://elecollection.co/>
[2] Ele‑Collection, Solutions <https://elecollection.co/solutions/>
[3] Ele‑Collection, Home <https://elecollection.co/>
[4] Ele‑Collection, Home <https://elecollection.co/>
[5] Ele‑Collection, Ele-Collection: Women Healing Wild Systems (YouTube, February 2026) <https://youtu.be/rc4eTye0Ols?si=IaVAsLsWkiFBY5WI>
[6] https://youtu.be/rc4eTye0Ols?si=IaVAsLsWkiFBY5WI