Our Focus

The central focus to our project is our commitment to creating demonstrable and measurable social value through our own educational and social programs, focusing on job creation for local women and youth, up-skilling employees, educational workshops for community members and community empowerment and last but not least, saving our planet from plastic pollution.

Education

“Knowledge is power,” and we need more of it!

In our part of the world, Gen Z is not as acutely aware of the effects of global warming and climate change as their peers in first-world countries.

On World Environment Day, July 5, 2024, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, delivered his “moment of truth” speech. His impassioned plea was to grasp the solutions at hand. “It’s climate crunch time,” stressing that the need for global action is unprecedented. “In the case of climate, we are the meteor. We are not only in danger – we are the danger. But we are also the solution.”

We feel compelled to share our knowledge with the schoolchildren of Zanzibar. We do this through our regular Workshops on Plastic Pollution.

It is our hope that these workshops help instill good environmental habits and ultimately impact changes within our communities.

Our aim is to have 1,500 children attend our workshops annually. We welcome anyone to join us; it is free of charge, but by appointment only. Please get in touch if you would like to join us.

Empowerment

Through this initiative, we collaborate with individuals, NGOs, and organizations dedicated to support women’s groups across the island. At our Workshop on Plastic Pollution, participants receive comprehensive training on plastic types and are equipped with the necessary tools to clean, sort, and cut HDPE plastic (using buckets, small knives, and shears). The collected plastic is then sold to OZTI for recycling.

Our objective is to have more than 50 women actively involved in the program who are all earning well above minimum wage, providing them with sustainable income and encouraging their economic contribution. To further empower these women and increase community involvement in production, we plan to establish shredding stations as soon as we obtain a sustainable grant to aid our project.

Our community involvement leads to numerous positive impacts. By empowering women, we not only enable them to earn a living but also enhance their productivity, educate them on the harmful effects of plastics on human health, the environment, and our ocean. Together, we strive for a cleaner Zanzibar& better future.

Employment

Our project isn’t just about tackling plastic pollution in Zanzibar, it’s also a good source of employment for the youth. Their dedication and hard work have significantly boosted our production of recycled products, aligning with our mission to foster a cleaner environment.

We place a strong emphasis on the well-being and growth of our most valued assets, our small workforce. Our team receive extensive training, including opportunities for reskilling, cross-skilling, and upskilling, equipping them with valuable skills. Moreover, we offer incentives, a secure work environment, and access to health insurance and security funds, ensuring their overall welfare.

Our commitment to fair wages and commissions underscores our dedication to the economic empowerment of our employees. Through teamwork and collaboration, our staff not only earn a livelihood but also contribute to the broader objective of a #greenerzanzibar

Our Products

Our product range offers a rich variety, from flower and plant pots to lamps and light fittings, wall clocks, storage baskets and boxes, subway tiles, countertops, and souvenir items for the tourism industry, like magnets and keyrings.

Every item is handcrafted with meticulous care, infused with love and passion, resulting in unique pieces that Radiate charm. We celebrate imperfection, embracing the “wacky wonky” elements that give each creation its distinct character and individuality.

As a not-for-profit initiative, every purchase you make directly supports our Education and Empowerment programs. By choosing our products, you’re not only acquiring beautifully crafted items but also investing in the future of Zanzibar’s youth and the sustainability of our environment. Join us on our journey to create a positive impact while indulging in treasures that embody the spirit of our community.

Our Team

SJANI MÜGGENBURG
Founder
Meet Mama Taka Taka, as the local kids call her, KiSwahili for Mama Rubbish. The visionary behind recycle@OZTI. Her dedication to creating positive change serves as an inspiration to the team. She's ready to take a step back and let the team soar to new heights. Having imparted all her knowledge to the team, she trusts in their ability to excel and continuously enhance the current production line. Now, she's eager to shift her focus towards what lies ahead for the project.
MOHAMMED ABRAHMAN
Head Recycle Technician
Our RecyKing, who has been part of the team for six years and shines like a gem! A masterful carpenter, he embodies passion, diligence, and creativity in all that he does. He takes immense pride in his work, knowing that he contributes to the cleanliness of Zanzibar. Above all, he finds joy in knowing that his creations support education, empowerment programs, and employment opportunities for individuals like himself within our community.
FATMA BURHAN
Project Leader
A dedicated team member for the past two years. She plays a crucial role in our education program, social media management, marketing, sales, and website content creation. Fatma's dedication shines through in her passion for environmental protection. Her commitment extends to our education initiatives. She firmly believes in educating the next generation of Zanzibar about caring for the environment and their crucial role in preserving our planet for the future.
ALI MUSSA
Recycle Technician
Also, Recyking & skilled carpenter who joined Mohammed and the team in late 2021. With his experience, he's always striving to innovate and create new products. Ali takes great pride in contributing to our mission of combating plastic pollution on our island. For him, it's not just about showcasing his skills; it's also about securing a stable income. He strongly believes that our combined efforts will make a lasting impact for our children and future generations.
HERRIET MBEGA
Recycle Technician
Our very first lady in the workshop, a talented tailor we met during the COVID-19 pandemic when we were crafting reusable face masks for our community. Recognizing her potential, we invited her to join our team. With access to the right resources, Harriet quickly developed a passion for power tools, trading her sewing machine for a table saw. Inspired to learn, she has immersed herself in understanding plastics and recycling on a broader scale.
OZTI East Africa
Main Company
OZTI East Africa has been instrumental in our journey to fulfill the corporate social responsibility initiative by supporting our project from its inception. The technical support team plays a vital role in troubleshooting and maintaining our equipment, ensuring smooth operations at every turn. Additionally, the office support team works closely with us to supervise our accounts and collaborates to address any challenges that may arise.
recycle at OZTI

Launched in 2018 as a pilot project for OZTI East Africa. Finding a sustainable way of recycling hard plastic in Zanzibar.

Our focus  creating job opportunities for local women, up-skilling our power team, educating local school children and community members. We also focus on community empowerment and playing our part in saving our beautiful island from plastic pollution.

Our project is not for profit, and we fund our education and empowerment programs through sales