Reducing and recycling waste in Zambian schools: an exploratory study

The perplexing problem of sustainable practices for proper waste disposal, across all levels of society, is frequently disregarded in developing countries. The paper presents the findings of an exploratory study of 94 participants (pupils and teachers) at a private school in Lusaka, Zambia on school-based waste management practices. The article begins with general background information on the current waste management practices in developing nations. Next, school recycling programs are introduced, with a specific reference to waste management in Zambia. An explanation of our exploratory case study on waste management at Mary Queen of Peace Girl's school in Lusaka Zambia follows. The contributions of the school community to recycling practices, achieved through a three-phase actioned research approach to education for sustainability, are detailed. Final results are reported highlighting the role of school culture transformation, radically changing from reliance on waste disposal toward practices of waste recycling