Household Waste Sorting

In many Kampala slum communities, household waste ends up in trenches, open spaces, or drainage channels — posing severe health risks and blocking urban infrastructure. Mulungi MobileMedics Initiative (MMI) is championing practical, household-level waste sorting as a solution to this urban health crisis.

Why It Matters

Unsorted waste creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents, contaminates water sources, and increases flooding. Proper sorting helps communities recycle more, compost organic waste, and keep their surroundings clean and safe.

Community Education

MMI conducts door-to-door sensitization, school outreach, and training for local leaders on:

• Identifying waste types: Organic (food scraps), recyclable (plastic bottles, paper), and hazardous (batteries, diapers).
• Using basic bins: Teaching families to use colored containers or marked sacks for separation.
• Safe disposal: Linking households with local waste collectors and eco-youth groups.

Low-Cost Tools

In low-income areas, affordability is key. MMI promotes creative waste-sorting using:

• Reused jerrycans as labeled bins for plastics and organics
• Sack gardens for composting and growing food
• Banana fiber buckets as eco-friendly containers

Local Champions

MMI trains local youth to become “Sort Smart Ambassadors” who lead household demos, monitor waste practices, and support neighbors in improving hygiene and sanitation.

Better Slums, Brighter Future

Sorting waste at home might seem small — but it’s a powerful act of environmental care. By starting with the bin at their doorstep, families in Kampala’s informal settlements can reclaim their health, dignity, and environment.