The Geo Pomona Waste Management Sorting plant is a gamechanger
By Dickson Bandera
President Mnangagwa on Thursday officially commissioned the Geo Pomona Waste Management Sorting Plant and a fleet of refuse collection trucks, describing the project as a major step towards achieving a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Zimbabwe.
The commissioning ceremony, held in Harare on World Environment Day, marks a critical milestone in the country’s drive towards modern waste management.
The event follows the groundbreaking of the Pomona Waste-to-Energy project in November 2023 and a tour of the facility by President Mnangagwa and SADC Heads of State in August last year.
“This is yet another critical step in our journey as we march towards sustainable development of our economy, as well as a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally resilient Zimbabwe.
“The plant and trucks we are commissioning today mark a turning point in our quest towards efficiency in waste management,” he said.
The project, spearheaded by Geo Pomona Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd, includes the deployment of 45 refuse trucks and 100 skip bins, with more equipment expected. It is expected to help resolve the longstanding waste collection crisis in Harare and support the broader Vision 2030 goals of developing clean, safe, and modern urban environments.
“This facility is a beacon of our national potential. It represents how infrastructure, when aligned to a national vision, can transform lives, protect the environment, and drive economic growth,” said President Mnangagwa.
Significantly, the plant forms a core part of Zimbabwe’s Waste-to-Energy initiative, which is projected to add between 16 to 22 megawatts to the national grid. President Mnangagwa emphasised that waste must be viewed not as a nuisance but as a valuable resource.
“With this modern sorting facility, recyclable materials can be recovered, repurposed, and reintegrated into the economy,” he said.
“This is a bold step towards building a green economy and modernising our waste systems.”
The commissioning also coincided with World Environment Day, observed under the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution.” President Mnangagwa said the theme resonated strongly with Zimbabwe, where plastic waste threatens wetlands, wildlife, and public health.
“As Zimbabwe prepares to host COP15 on the Convention on Wetlands in July 2025, tackling plastic pollution is essential. We must act now to protect our wetlands which are vital for water security, tourism, and livelihoods.”
The President called on all Zimbabweans to support efforts to improve waste management and desist from illegal dumping. “The responsibility of waste management does not lie with Geo Pomona alone, but is the duty of every Zimbabwean,” he stressed. “Let us embrace a culture of responsible waste disposal, recycling, and environmental stewardship.”
He also reaffirmed the Second Republic’s commitment to fostering public-private partnerships and creating a conducive investment climate. “This project highlights the confidence that investors have in the economic environment we are fostering,” President Mnangagwa said.
The Geo Pomona initiative is aligned with the Government’s national development philosophy: “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo” – a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to build Zimbabwe using local resources, innovation, and unity.
President Mnangagwa concluded his remarks by commending the Geo Pomona management and staff for their professionalism and contribution to national goals.
“With vision, focus, commitment, and unity of purpose, we can turn challenges into opportunities and dreams into tangible infrastructure,” he said.
The commissioning represents another step in delivering President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 – a future anchored in modern infrastructure, environmental resilience, and inclusive development.
