Lesotho Strengthens Waste Management Through AI Technology and Waste Characterisation Study

Lesotho is taking important steps to improve waste management, promote recycling and build a cleaner environment through a new initiative that combines scientific research, artificial intelligence and better data collection. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lesotho, working with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is supporting a Waste Characterisation Study and the development of an AI-powered household waste categorisation model. The initiative aims to provide a clearer understanding of the types of waste generated in the country and how these materials can be managed more effectively. Findings from the study are being validated with stakeholders to strengthen the evidence available for planning and decision-making. With financial and technical support from the Government of Japan and UNEP, the work is also contributing to Lesotho’s Waste Management Information System (WMIS), helping establish a stronger foundation for data-driven environmental management.

The Waste Characterisation Study is important because effective waste management begins with understanding what people throw away, how much waste is generated and which materials can be recovered or reused. Without reliable information, authorities may struggle to plan suitable collection services, identify recycling opportunities or determine which disposal methods are most appropriate. Waste characterisation helps address this challenge by examining the composition of waste and identifying the materials that make up the waste stream. In Maseru, the study found that kitchen and canteen organic matter accounts for approximately 30 percent of waste, while plastic packaging represents around 20 to 22 percent. These findings offer useful insight into the types of waste that waste management programmes could prioritise, although the figures should be understood within the scope of the study rather than assumed to represent every community in Lesotho.

The high proportion of organic waste in Maseru highlights an opportunity to expand composting and other forms of organic waste recovery. Kitchen scraps and other biodegradable materials can often be processed into compost under suitable conditions, reducing the amount of waste sent to disposal sites. Compost can help improve soil structure and support agricultural production when it meets appropriate quality and safety standards. Separating organic waste from plastics and other materials at the source can also make recovery processes more effective and reduce contamination. However, successful composting requires suitable facilities, reliable collection arrangements and public participation in separating waste correctly. By identifying the amount of organic matter in the waste stream, the study can help decision-makers assess whether targeted composting programmes would be practical and beneficial.

Plastic packaging is another major component of Maseru’s waste, accounting for approximately one-fifth to just over one-fifth of the waste identified in the study. Plastic waste can create long-term environmental problems when it is poorly managed, particularly when it accumulates in public spaces, enters waterways or breaks down into smaller pieces. Improving the recovery of recyclable plastics requires systems that can collect, sort and transport suitable materials to processing facilities. Public education can help households distinguish recyclable materials from waste that cannot be recovered through available local systems. Businesses, waste collectors and recycling operators also have a role to play in reducing unnecessary packaging and expanding material recovery where practical. The study’s findings provide a basis for examining which plastic waste management measures could deliver the greatest benefit in Maseru.

The research also highlights the contribution of waste reclaimers at the Tsosane dumpsite. According to the findings, waste reclaimers recover approximately 10.14 percent of disposed waste at the site, with paper and cardboard accounting for the largest share of recovered materials. This shows that valuable resources are already being recovered from waste that would otherwise remain at the disposal site. Paper and cardboard can be collected for recycling when they are sufficiently clean and suitable for processing, reducing demand for newly sourced raw materials. Waste reclaimers therefore contribute to resource recovery while also earning livelihoods from the materials they collect. Recognising their role in waste management planning could help authorities identify ways to improve working conditions, strengthen access to recycling markets and support more inclusive environmental programmes.

Waste reclaimers often work in challenging conditions and may face limited access to protective equipment, reliable facilities and formal support systems. Better information about the materials they recover can help identify opportunities to improve their working environment and strengthen the economic value of their activities. If recovery systems become more organised, reclaimers could potentially benefit from clearer collection arrangements and more reliable links with buyers of recyclable materials. Any such measures would require consultation with the people doing the work and a careful assessment of their needs. Their contribution should not be overlooked when developing new waste policies or introducing technology-based solutions. Including waste reclaimers in planning can help ensure that improvements to waste management also consider livelihoods and the people who depend on material recovery for income.

Artificial intelligence is another important element of the initiative, with the development of an AI-powered household waste categorisation model intended to support better waste identification. Depending on how the model is designed and deployed, AI technology can help classify waste into categories such as organic matter, plastics, paper and cardboard. Such tools may assist waste assessment by making categorisation more consistent and helping process information more efficiently. They could also support the collection of data needed to understand waste patterns and identify opportunities for improved recycling or disposal. However, the accuracy of an AI model depends on the quality and representativeness of the data used to develop and test it. The model’s practical value will therefore depend on careful validation, suitable local data and continued assessment of its performance in Lesotho’s waste management context.

The use of artificial intelligence should complement, rather than replace, practical waste management systems and local expertise. Even an accurate categorisation model cannot by itself establish recycling facilities, improve collection routes or ensure that households separate their waste correctly. Authorities will still need appropriate infrastructure, trained personnel, public awareness programmes and clear procedures for handling different waste categories. The technology may help provide better information for these decisions, but its benefits will depend on how institutions use the resulting data. Testing the model under local conditions can help identify limitations and determine whether it performs reliably across different household waste types. Combining technology with community participation and sound environmental planning offers a practical way to strengthen waste management over time.

The development of Lesotho’s Waste Management Information System is another significant part of this work. A Waste Management Information System can provide a structured way to collect, organise and analyse information about waste generation, collection, recovery and disposal. Reliable data can help government institutions understand existing waste management challenges and track changes as new programmes are introduced. It can also support more informed decisions about infrastructure, resource allocation and environmental priorities. Financial and technical support from the Government of Japan and UNEP is contributing to the work described in the initiative. As the system develops, its usefulness will depend on the quality of the information collected, the consistency of reporting and the ability of relevant institutions to apply the findings to practical decisions.

Better waste data can help Lesotho improve several parts of the waste management process. Authorities may be able to identify areas where collection services need improvement, determine which materials are suitable for recovery and assess where composting or recycling initiatives could be introduced. Information about the composition of waste can also help planners estimate the types of facilities and equipment needed to manage different materials. Over time, consistent data collection could make it easier to assess whether particular interventions are reducing the volume of waste sent to disposal sites. These decisions are especially important when financial and technical resources are limited and must be directed towards clearly identified needs. The study and the Waste Management Information System can support this process by providing a stronger evidence base for environmental planning.

Public participation will remain essential to the success of any improved waste management system. Households generate much of the waste that enters collection systems, so their choices can influence how easily materials are sorted and recovered. Separating food waste from recyclable packaging, where local services support this practice, can reduce contamination and improve the quality of recovered materials. Businesses, schools and community organisations can also help by promoting responsible disposal and reducing avoidable waste. For these efforts to succeed, people need clear guidance about what to separate, how to prepare materials and where to take them. Government agencies and waste management partners will need to communicate these requirements in ways that are practical and suitable for different communities.

The initiative also creates an opportunity for Lesotho to advance the principles of a circular economy. A circular economy seeks to keep materials in use for as long as practical through reducing waste, reusing products, repairing goods and recycling suitable materials. Instead of treating all discarded items as rubbish, this approach considers whether some materials can become inputs for new products or useful resources. Organic waste may be suitable for composting, while recoverable paper, cardboard and certain plastics may have value in recycling markets. Developing these activities could create opportunities for small businesses, strengthen local recovery systems and support livelihoods. The extent of these benefits would depend on market demand, collection costs, processing capacity and the quality of recovered materials.

Reducing the amount of waste sent to disposal sites can also support environmental protection. Poorly managed waste can contribute to land and water pollution, create unpleasant living conditions and place pressure on surrounding communities. Better sorting and recovery can reduce the volume of materials requiring final disposal, while improved collection and handling can help limit uncontrolled dumping. Organic waste management can also be important because decomposing organic materials at disposal sites may generate methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Appropriate waste prevention, recovery and treatment measures can help reduce some of these impacts, although their effectiveness depends on the methods used and local conditions. The findings from the Waste Characterisation Study can help Lesotho identify practical priorities for addressing these challenges.

The involvement of UNDP Lesotho, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and UNEP demonstrates the importance of cooperation in tackling complex environmental issues. Waste management requires more than the work of a single government department because it involves households, businesses, local authorities, collectors, recyclers and communities. Technical research can help identify the scale and nature of the challenge, while public institutions can use the findings to inform policy and planning. International financial and technical support can contribute expertise and resources, but lasting improvements also require local ownership and sustained implementation. Stakeholder validation of the study’s findings is an important step in building confidence in the evidence and ensuring that different perspectives are considered. Continued collaboration will be necessary to turn the findings into practical waste management measures.

Lesotho’s Waste Characterisation Study and AI-powered household waste categorisation initiative represent an opportunity to make environmental decisions more informed and effective. The findings that organic matter accounts for around 30 percent of Maseru’s waste and plastic packaging makes up approximately 20 to 22 percent point to clear areas for further assessment and action. The recovery of approximately 10.14 percent of disposed waste by reclaimers at Tsosane dumpsite also highlights the value of existing recycling activities and the importance of supporting the people involved. Through improved data collection, the Waste Management Information System and the responsible use of AI, Lesotho can strengthen planning for waste separation, recycling, composting and disposal. The long-term success of this work will depend on reliable implementation, effective infrastructure and participation from communities and businesses. By treating waste as both an environmental challenge and a potential economic resource, Lesotho can work towards cleaner communities, stronger livelihoods and a more sustainable circular economy.