Reduced risks on human health & the environment through reduction of POPs & U-POPs in Eswatini

The project intends to ensure an integrated solid waste management towards zero waste and circular economy vision for Eswatini. Main focus of the waste streams in this project includes healthcare waste, E-waste and plastic waste, The project will help reduce pollutions of chemicals and waste, improve health and livelihoods of general population and workers through a gender-responsive approach, and foster green growth through public and private partnership in the services of the waste management and circular business particular SMEs.
To this end, in the healthcare sector the project will ensue upstream a reduction of hazardous waste through better segregation and pilot green procurement of healthcare consumable and devices; and by replacing the practice of open burning or incineration in substandard incinerators with a network of non-combustion treatment systems, supported by a dedicated logistic.
A circular economy approach will be taken in managing plastic packaging, electronics, appliances, and other consumer products. Project will scale up the successful experiences from UNDP accelerated lab and Small Grant Programme on behavior change to reduce the consumption of single use plastics (SUP) and increase recycling of packaging materials. Project will also promote take-back programme of electronics and appliances for recycling. Capacity building of waste sorting at households to segregate wet (organic) wastes and dry wastes for composting and recycling will be piloted. Hazardous chemicals and waste identified from the waste streams will be segregated for the sound disposal. Circular business model suited for the local market and SMEs will be promoted through providing initial incentives and technical assistance.
The revision and upgrade of the existing regulatory framework, plans and guidelines related to solid waste management, hazardous chemicals, healthcare waste, circular economy and EPR scheme will create the enabling environment for the actions listed above. In addition, institutional capacity building, awareness of the stakeholders and women empowerment, south-south cooperation will be supported and facilitated by the project for improving governance, sustainability and further scaling up of the best practices in the whole country including urban and rural areas. Potential synergies with other on-going and planning investments and initiatives in the country will be pursued to create more decent job opportunities particular for women and poor to improve equality.