Africa for Zero Waste

In this episode, host Merrisa Naidoo (GAIA/BFFP Africa Plastics Program Manager) talks to Farima Tidjani (adansonia.green | Coordinator & GAIA Africa Reuse Campaigner), Marian Ledesma (Greenpeace Southeast Asia - Philippines | Zero Waste Campaigner), Miquel Roset (Retorna.org | Director & Spokesperson), and Mason Hines (PR3: The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse, RESOLVE | Senior Program Manager) about implementable solutions — reuse at the heart of a robust plastics treaty.

Globally, over 300 million tons of plastic is produced, and a lot of it is for single use. We cannot escape plastic pollution, nor can we recycle our way out of this global crisis. Ou...

In this episode, Merrisa Naidoo (Africa Plastics Manager at GAIA and Break Free From Plastic (BFFP)), hosts a powerful conversation with leading voices from the global movement against plastic pollution.

She is joined by: Dr. Jamala Djinn, Science Policy Advisor at Break Free From Plastic and the Center for Coalfield Justice; Mohamed Kamal, Executive Director of the Greenish Foundation in Egypt and GAIA/BFFP Africa member; Kabir Arora, General Secretary of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers; and Sirine Rached, Senior Policy Advisor at GAIA.

Together, they unpack the critical question: What will it take to...

In this special 25th anniversary episode, Weyinmi Okotie, Program Manager for Clean Air at GAIA/BFFP Africa, sits down with Richard Benin, Executive Director of CODAF, and Maimoni Ubrei-Joe, Director of Campaigns and Administration at CODAF.

Together, they reflect on CODAF’s journey and explore how being a GAIA has strengthened and supported their mission.

[Recorded in April 2025]. Learn more about CODAF · Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

In this special 25th anniversary episode, Andrea Dixon (GAIA/BFFP Africa Plastics Associate) is joined by Maditlhare Koena, Deputy Chairperson of the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA). They discuss the vital role of women waste pickers in the global Zero Waste movement, reflect on GAIA’s 25-year journey, and explore the power of grassroots leadership in driving environmental justice.

[Recorded in March 2025] Learn more about SAWPA's work · Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

In this episode, Dominic Coppens (Senior Managing Associate at Sidley Austin in Brussels and Professor of International Economic Law at Maastricht University in the Netherlands); Doun Moon (Policy and Research Officer at GAIA Global); Hibaa-Haibado Ismael (Djibouti INC Focal Point, Third Counsellor, and Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat at the Embassy of Djibouti); and Mohamed Kamal (GAIA Africa Member and Executive Director at the Greenish Foundation in Egypt) talk to host Niven Reddy (Regional Coordinator of GAIA & BFFP in Africa) about why a dedicated fund is essential for effectively implementing the Global Plastics Treaty.

We’ll un...

Needs for Global Production Reduction Targets Aligned with National Pledges.

In this episode, we'll be discussing Plastic Is Pollution: Why Global Production Reduction Targets Aligned With National Obligations Are Needed For The Effective Implementation Of The Global Plastics Treaty.

Join us as we explore the critical need to set global reduction targets for plastic production and how this can help fight plastic pollution, especially in Africa. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

In this episode, host Niven Reddy sits down with Mafoko Phomane (groundWork | Environmental Health Campaigner), Rico Euripidou (groundWork | Campaign Coordinator), Azeeza Rangunwala (groundWork | Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) Coordinator), and Wassiana Trésor AVOMO ONDO (Gabon | Head of Regulatory Department, General Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development) for an insightful conversation on Adjusting the Lens on Plastic & Healthcare.

Together, they debunk common myths and explore the real impact of plastic use in the medical field, shedding light on its environmental and health implications. GAIA/BFFP Africa Blog on Adjusting the Lens on Plastics & Healthcare · Africa for Zero Wa...

In this episode, Kenza Sara Elazkem (GAIA Africa’s Movement Building Program Manager) discusses GAIA's new work on Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries and their end of life, with host Niven Reddy. They explore the challenges and opportunities that EV batteries present, their management at the end of life, and what this means for the energy transition.

They also delve into GAIA’s mission to transition from our current linear and extractive economy to a circular system that ensures a safe and healthy environment for all. They share insights on fighting pollution, building regenerative solutions in cities, and the impo...

In this episode, Niven Reddy (GAIA | Africa Regional Coordinator) talks to Ana Rocha (GAIA | Global Plastics Policy Director & Nipe Fagio | Executive Director), Mariel Vilella (GAIA | Global Climate Program Director), and Desmond Alugnoa (GAIA Africa | Zero Waste & Climate Program Manager) about the International Zero Waste Cities Conference (IZWCC) and the Methane Action and Environmental Justice Summit, both held in Dar es Salaam.

They delve into the goals and highlights of the IZWCC, the history of GAIA's partnership with Nipe Fagio, and the next steps for advancing zero waste initiatives. They also explore the relevance of methane mitigation and climate...

In this episode, podcast host Niven Reddy engages in a conversation with a panel of experts including Daniela Duran (Center for International Environmental Law - CIEL), Weyinmi Okotie (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and Break Free From Plastics Africa), Sam Adukumi (EnviroHealth Consult and part-time senior lecturer at University of Ghana), Mohamed Kamal (Greenish Foundation), and Alexandra Caterbow (Health and Environment Justice Support - HEJSupport).
They discuss the critical importance of addressing the full lifecycle of plastics within the framework of the Global Plastics Treaty. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

In this episode, podcast host Niven Reddy talks to Madi Koena (SAWPA), Andrea Lema (GAIA), and Musa Chamane (groundWork) about a Just Transition for Waste Pickers in the Treaty, as part of our continued discussions on the need for a strong Global Plastic Treaty. Visit our Global Plastic Treaty page for more information · Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

How Women & Girls Are at Risk.

In this episode, our season 2 podcast host, Niven Reddy, talks to Sarah Onuoha (Program and Logistics Officer for SRADeV in Nigeria), Benson Dotun Fasanya (Executive Director for CFEW in Nigeria), and Semia Gharbi (Chairperson for AEEFG in Tunisia) about Plastic Pollution as a Gender Issue and How Women & Girls Are at Risk. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

The Good, Bad and Ugly.

In this episode, Merrisa Naidoo (Africa Plastic Campaigner for GAIA and BFFP) based in South Africa; Ana Rocha (Global Plastics Policy Director for GAIA) based in Tanzania; Mohamed Kamal (Co-Director of Greenish Foundation) in Egypt; and Douglas Kaziro (Program officer for chemicals and waste management at BIVA) in Uganda talk to host Sureshnie Rieder about the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. INC3 took place from 13 to 19 November 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. A link to GAIA's Global Plastics...

In this episode, Nana Minta (Green Africa Youth Organization based in Ghana); Alpha Ntayomba (Population and Development Initiative based in Tanzania); Benson Dotun (Centre For Earth Works based in Nigeria); Nirere Sadrach (End Plastic Pollution based in Uganda) and Tajael Masaki (Nipe Fagio based in Tanzania) talk to host Sureshnie Rieder about Brand Audits in Africa. We also explore how the data generated from brand audits contribute to legislation change, recommendations for why organisations should do brand audits themselves, and how people can stay informed about these organisations' brand audit activities. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero W...

In this episode, host Sureshnie talks to guests Merrisa Naidoo (GAIA/BFFP | Africa Plastic Campaigner), Andrea Lema (Plastic Co | Founder and National Director), and Mohamed Kamal (Greenish | Co-director) about the recent INC2. They unpack some of civil society's key demands for the Global Plastic Treaty, important takeaways from the INC2 discussions, and some of the issues that observers from the Global South have encountered when trying to participate in the negotiations.

Tune in! GAIA's Global Plastic Treaty · BFFP's Global Plastic Treaty · Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

In this episode, Semia Gharbi (Chairperson of Tunisia’s Association of Environmental Education for Future Generations and coordinator of IPEN in the MENA region) and Mageswari Sangaralingam (Senior research officer with the Consumers’ Association of Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia Friends of the Earth) talk to Sureshnie Rieder about waste colonialism in the global south.

We also share advice for organisations that want to start a campaign that addresses imported waste in their country, and steps that African countries can take to stop the dumping of waste in our borders. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero...

In this episode, Maditlhare Koena (South African Waste Pickers Association) and Asiphile Khanyile (groundWork) talk to host Sureshnie Rieder about how civil society organisations can support the work of waste pickers.

We also explore some of the social, environmental and economic benefits of waste pickers in society, and Maditlhare shares some of the waste pickers' demands at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution in Punta del Este, Uruguay, last year. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

Zero waste is often seen as exclusively for the affluent eco-conscious individuals of high-income countries but with successful implementation, a zero waste system can truly embrace traditional knowledge and existing practices of preservation in Africa.

Tune into our show as we discover the world of zero waste and the organisations championing this system of waste management in Africa, as well as delving into the environmental issues threatening our people and planet. Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram