Insights from Bidibidi: A holistic approach on Biowaste
How can organic waste in refugee settlements be transformed into a valuable resource for sustainable energy and circular economies? As part of the SUNNY Work Package 1 (WP1) Comparative analysis of local context which (UMAK), explores the cultural and socio-environmental landscape of the demo site, ReFuse is tackling this question with a holistic approach on Biowaste. With support from CTEN and Makerere University (UMAK), our team conducted field assessments using Semi-Structured Questionnaires (SSQ), Key Informant Interviews (KII), and Geo-tagging/co-Mapping (MAP).
Image : Rubbish pit in the Bidibidi Settlement – SSQ
In places like Bidibidi Settlement and the surrounding Yumbe District in Uganda, poor waste management poses a daily challenge for both refugee and host communities. Open dumping and burning have become the norm, posing serious health and environmental risks. Yet, this problem also holds untapped potential. In Uganda, biowaste can account for up to 88.5% of total waste generation. Despite this massive volume, there’s still a significant knowledge gap in how organic waste like food scraps and agricultural residues is managed from disposal to recycling.
Handling biowaste as a resource
Through proper treatment and valorization, organic waste can be transformed into valuable bioproducts and bioenergy, creating economic benefits while reducing environmental impact. Authorities such as NEMA and MEMD highlighted in their national policies how they recognized the potential of biowaste. Efforts were put to promote composting and reprocessing through initiatives that could contribute to a more sustainable energy mix, lessening reliance on firewood.
On the Front line
For two weeks, a team of 6 researchers surveyed and mapped all five zones in Bidibidi Settlement. We spoke direclty with community members who shared everyday struggles. Conversations with refugees highlighted the urgent need for biowaste management and disposal solutions. Most refugees revealed that organic waste coming from foodleftovers, vegetables peels and green stems are thrown in mixed rubbish pit – a dug hole in the ground. One resident from the host community shared that these pits are often uncovered and exposed to wind and rains which causes waste to spread, building up near homes, contaminating water sources, harming soil, and triggering health issues like diarrhea and respiratory infections. they then added, that pests and animals scavenge through the waste, making the situation worse. Despite these difficulties, there’s momentum on the ground. Refugee-led initiatives experimented with composting and making briquettes as alternatives to charcoal. But these efforts were lost due to lack the infrastructure, technical training, and support to thrive.
Our assessment covered 105 SSQs, 42 KIIs, and 40 MAP activities. This data underscore tthe urgent need and the potential for better biowaste management. However, several challenges like the vast distances between zones, the absence of organized collection systems, and low awareness are real.
Through SUNNY, ReFuse aims to support the integration of SUNNY technologies and minimize waste related socio-environmental impact. To address this aspect of the problem, ReFuse will provide expertise in creating circular value chains. The focus of the next field visits will be on two key actions: (1) Empower existing and/or new local entrepreneurship projects/ initiatives (building market based solutions) (2) Advise a waste management plan together with the development organisations working in Bidibidi, Yumbe district, and community members.
Our role is to contribute in increasing SUNNY’s capacity on waste management while championing local circular economies that leave no one behind
Understanding Dry waste dynamics: Insights from Mahama Camp, Rwanda and Bidibidi Settlement, Uganda
A new assessment conducted as part of the SUNNY Work Package 2 (WP2) provides insights into dry waste production, recycling behavior, and local market dynamics in two key sites: Mahama Camp in Rwanda and Bidibidi Settlement in Uganda, along with their surrounding host communities. The study contributes to broader efforts aimed at fostering sustainable waste management practices and enabling circular value chains in humanitarian contexts. With support from CTEN and Makerere University (UMAK) in Uganda. And, Practical Action (PA), CTEN and University of Rwanda, field data collection in both locations combined Semi-Structured Questionnaires (SSQ), Key Informant Interviews (KII), and Mapping (MAP) activities.
Image: Waste picker in Mahama Camp – KII
In many refugee-hosting regions across Africa, waste management systems remain underdeveloped or non-existent, especially when it comes to dry waste. Plastics, textiles, paper, and metal often accumulate without proper disposal pathways, contributing to environmental and public health risks. While most interventions have focused on food and shelter, solid waste -especially non-biodegradable materials- is becoming a critical concern in long-term displacement settings.
Observed practices
Preliminary findings indicate that plastic waste, primarily from food packaging, water sachets, bottles, and household containers, is the most common form of dry waste in both Mahama and Bidibidi. Other categories include textiles (clothing), paper, and some scrap metal. In both sites, dry waste is generally not segregated at source. In Uganda, it is either burned, buried, or dumped in open spaces near homes or in informal pits. While in Rwanda, with the support of UNHCR and World vision, a system is put in place. Community members reported taking their mixed waste to specific collection sites scattered around the camp. As also observed, many residents from the host community also use the same dumping points as there is no collection service.
Recycling behavior and repair market
The study also explored community attitudes toward recycling and reuse. Across both camps, there is some awareness of the potential benefits of recycling, particularly among youth and informal small-scale traders. For instance, in Uganda they are identified as ‘KiloKilo’ and ‘ChumaChuma’, they mostly collect hard plastic and mixed metals, while in addition to that, ‘injemini’ in Rwanda collect rubber shoes known as ‘sweeties’. Five informal traders were sampled in Rwanda, and eight in Uganda. Those traders rely heavily on waste pickers which usually travel by foot or on a bike and go around the villages to recover recyclables from community members in exchange of a small incentive . One shared that prices are inconsistent, and despite the logistical barrier that make it difficult to scale up collection and resale operations, there is untapped market for recycling streams.
Both refugees and host community members in both sites identified existing repair providers operating inside and outside the camp. Some participants referenced locations and moving sellers where second-hand goods could be purchased or repaired, though their operations remain informal and irregular. These findings suggest that the current repair and reuse ecosystems are informal and underutilized, yet present an important opportunity to divert materials from landfills and extend product lifecycles.
The findings from Mahama and Bidibidi highlight the potential and the limitations of introducing circular waste solutions in refugee settings. While dry waste is abundant and there is growing community interest, any intervention must address the infrastructural gaps, social perceptions, and market constraints. Through SUNNY, ReFuse, is working to support the adoption of SUNNY technologies while leveraging its expertise in developing circular value chains to shift recyclables from landfills. The focus of the WP2 field visits will be on two key actions: (1) Empower existing and/or new local entrepreneurship projects/ initiatives (building market based solutions) (2) Advise a waste management plan together with the development organisations working in the camps, Local authorities, and community members.
At ReFuse, we believe value can be created anywhere, especially in places where others only see garbage, because we refuse to call it waste, we make it valuable
