Annual Waste Conference

To create awareness and drive actionable solutions for sustainable waste management, emphasizing women’s participation in recycling initiatives, reduction of plastic pollution, and the development of environmentally conscious communities.

• Community members, including traditional structures
• Women and youth engaged in recycling and environmental initiatives
• Policy makers, civil society actors, and private sector stakeholders
• International Experts and Organisations
• Academia

• Expert Presentations on selected environmental themes
• Panel discussions on waste management policies, climate change, and sustainable solutions
• Exhibitions showcasing innovative recycling and waste reduction initiatives
• Networking sessions connecting stakeholders, funders, and community initiatives

• Increased awareness and knowledge on sustainable waste management and climate action
• Strengthened collaboration among government, private sector, civil society, and community-based initiatives
• Empowered women and youth participating in recycling and waste reduction projects
• Promotion of sustainable practices within communities to reduce environmental pollution

• The conference has contributed to the formalization and growth of women-led recycling businesses, enhancing livelihoods and economic empowerment
• Improved community understanding of waste reduction practices and the importance of environmental sustainability
• Enabled policy dialogue, implementation and collaboration between government,development partners,  private sector, academia and communities to tackle plastic pollution effectively

• Influencing Plastic Policy Reform
  Through the Annual Waste Conference, Women Unlimited Eswatini, in partnership with the Eswatini Environment Authority, has played a pivotal role in influencing national policy on plastic use. Building on the successes of the Eswatini Zero Plastic Contamination Initiative, the conference provided a platform for dialogue between government officials, civil society, and community leaders, resulting in strengthened regulations on single-use plastics. The initiative’s advocacy contributed to more stringent enforcement of plastic waste management laws, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for communities.

• Empowering Women-Led Recycling Enterprises
  The conference has consistently showcased the potential of women in sustainable waste management. Several women-led recycling businesses were formalized and supported to scale their operations. By sharing these success stories at the conference, participants were inspired to adopt similar initiatives in their communities, turning waste into sustainable livelihoods while reducing environmental pollution.

• Raising Community Awareness and Engagement
  The Annual Waste Conference has significantly enhanced public understanding of the impacts of plastic pollution. Through interactive workshops, exhibitions, and knowledge-sharing sessions, community members have become active participants in waste reduction. Initiatives such as community clean-ups and recycling drives have been amplified through the conference, inspiring citizens to take ownership of their local environments.

• Building Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
  One of the conference’s key achievements has been fostering collaboration among government,Development partner, NGOs, private sector actors,academia and communities. Stakeholders have developed joint strategies to tackle plastic contamination, from collection and recycling to policy advocacy. These partnerships have not only strengthened the national waste management framework but also created long-term, sustainable networks for environmental action.

• Demonstrating Measurable Environmental Impact
  Through the conference and ongoing environmental activities, significant reductions in plastic pollution have been observed in targeted areas. Communities engaged in these initiatives report cleaner streets, improved waste management systems, and greater environmental consciousness, demonstrating that policy advocacy, community engagement, and empowerment of women and youth can drive tangible environmental change.