How Zimbabwe’s Scrap Metal Hunters Are Combatting Climate Change One Piece at a Time

HARARE, Zimbabwe — “Find anything good today?” Ezekiel Mabhiza called to a man digging through a mound of trash. Armed with a hoe, he searched at one of Harare’s many illegal dumpsites.

Mabhiza joined in, spending hours rummaging through heaps of waste. By midday, his cart was filled with springs from old mattresses, broken car parts, and tin cans—a total of 66 kilograms (145 pounds) of scrap metal. This earned him $8, enough to feed his five children for a day and possibly pay a utility bill.

“I gave up on finding a formal job,” Mabhiza, 36, said. “I walk around all day and come back with nothing. This is my job now. I pay rent, and my kids eat and go to school.”

Thousands in Harare rely on scrap metal, quietly contributing to a cleaner environment while battling climate change. Manufacturing steel typically requires burning coal, which releases harmful carbon emissions. The OECD notes this process accounts for nearly 8% of carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector. The work of scavengers like Mabhiza plays a key role in reducing those emissions, as turning scrap metal into new steel uses less energy.

Waste Management Crisis
Harare faces a significant waste management issue, generating about 1,000 tons of waste daily that often goes uncollected. Frustrated by inconsistent collection, many residents resort to dumping trash on roadsides or burning it. Once clean areas are now marred by litter.

In a recent effort, the city council teamed up with a green waste management company to improve collection amid allegations of corruption. For now, informal workers like Mabhiza remain essential to keeping the city cleaner.

Fungai Mataga, who runs a scrap metal collection center, emphasized their importance: “It’s a dirty job, yes, but people rarely understand how vital it is. Every piece of metal they bring here is one less item polluting our land.”

Globally, recycled scrap metal is crucial for the steel industry, making up about a third of the raw materials used. With concerns over mining’s environmental effects and a growing interest in circular economies, recycled materials like scrap metal are in increasing demand.

The Human Cost of Scrap Metal Collection
However, the work is not without its risks. Metal hunters often wake before dawn to scour landfills and dumps, trading the comfort of home for the street. Some take cover near illegal dumps, watching for trucks unloading waste, hoping to gather valuable scrap before getting caught.

Lovemore Sibanda, a security guard who collects scrap on his days off, explains, “I’ve been lucky not to get sick, but I worry constantly. I wish I could afford gloves one day.”

The conditions can be harsh. These workers are exposed to dangerous waste, from medical supplies to discarded animal carcasses. “At first, I’d lose my appetite seeing things like that,” Sibanda confided. “Now, I’m used to it. This is my office. This is where the money is.”

According to the Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries, factories in the country, which has a population of 16 million, consume about 600,000 tons of scrap metal a year, all sourced locally. This informal economy not only provides sustenance for many but also plays a vital role in reducing environmental harm.

In Summary
The story of those like Mabhiza and Sibanda highlights the resilience of communities adapting to challenging circumstances. Their work does more than feed their families; it contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future. As global interest in recycling grows, these “unsung heroes” are paving the way for change, proving that even the dirtiest jobs can lead to a greener tomorrow.

Learn more about influential environmental practices and community efforts here.

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