City of Victoria Falls Recycles 80 Tonnes of Food Waste Monthly to Produce Maggot-Based Poultry Feed

VICTORIA FALLS — With landfill space rapidly shrinking and food waste on the rise, the City of Victoria Falls has partnered with the Pristine Victoria Falls Society to convert over 80 tonnes of monthly food waste from the hospitality sector into maggot-based poultry feed.

The initiative, which targets organic waste from hotels, lodges, and restaurants, aims to reduce environmental pollution, support local farmers, and promote sustainable livelihoods in the tourism-driven city.

Victoria Falls, one of Zimbabwe’s busiest tourist destinations, is experiencing a surge in waste generation linked to its growing hospitality industry.

City Health Services Officer, Michael Ncube said the situation has become increasingly urgent.

“One of our key functions is to manage waste within the whole city, and our experience of late is that as the city is growing, we are experiencing increased waste.

“It, therefore, brings the idea that we work closely with other partners that include Pristine,” he said.

Faced with limited landfill space, the council turned to organic recycling as a long-term solution. Through maggot farming, food waste is transformed into protein-rich larvae used in poultry and fish feed.

Mr Douglas Musiringofa, campaign manager for Pristine Victoria Falls Society, said the initiative supports a circular economy.

“Maggot production is one of our flagship projects in promoting a circular economy. By recycling food waste, we not only reduce environmental pollution but also create a valuable product for farmers.

“The maggots serve as an affordable, high-protein feed alternative, supporting local poultry producers and reducing reliance on expensive imported feeds,” he said.

According to Chronicle, the project has already delivered promising results.

The council now plans to expand the initiative to local communities.

Ncube said residents will be encouraged to adopt similar recycling methods to reduce household waste and generate income.

“We look forward to engaging our local communities to do similar projects so that they can benefit from maggot production.

“In the long-term, this council will benefit in terms of self-reliance, saving space, and empowering residents through income-generating projects,” he said

The city is also tackling plastic pollution through a partnership with Elecollection.

Ncube said around 20 tonnes of plastic waste are being repurposed into paving materials.

“We are retaining about 20 tonnes of plastic waste for the purpose of rock barriers used for paving. As a result, we are benefiting quite a lot, we are saving space and as a local authority, we also look forward to getting benefits in the form of food.”

The Victoria Falls initiative is being hailed as a model for other urban centres in Zimbabwe facing similar waste management challenges.

By turning waste into economic opportunity, the city is showing how environmental conservation and community development can work hand in hand.