Ele Collection: Recycling Victoria Falls and Combating Plastic Waste

Prestine African bush where elephants roam
Photo: Ele-Collection, Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders, faces an environmental challenge that threatens its beauty and biodiversity—plastic waste. This plastic pollution not only mars the landscape but also endangers wildlife and disrupts local ecosystems. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Ele Collection has set out on a mission to remove plastic waste from the environment and repurpose it into a valuable resource for the construction industry through innovative recycling solutions.

The Problem: Plastic Waste and Pollution in Victoria Falls

Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top tourist destination, Victoria Falls, and its surrounding national parks struggle with plastic pollution. Single-use plastics, improperly disposed of, accumulate in the environment, posing hazards to animals that ingest or become entangled in them. The tourism industry, while vital to the local economy, also contributes to waste generation, exacerbating the issue. Without effective plastic recycling solutions, much of this plastic waste ends up in landfills or scattered across the region’s pristine landscapes, threatening both nature and tourism sustainability.

Plastic waste collection
Photo: Ele-Collection, Victoria Falls

The Mission: A Cleaner, Greener Victoria Falls Through Recycling

Ele Collection is committed to eliminating plastic waste from the environment for good. Their vision is not just to clean up Victoria Falls but to create a sustainable solution that prevents future waste accumulation. By transforming plastic into building aggregate suitable for construction, they aim to reduce landfill waste, protect wildlife, and support the development of eco-friendly infrastructure. The goal is to leave Victoria Falls—and eventually the entire Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area—in a better state for future generations. Ele Collection believes that plastic waste recycling is the key to maintaining the region’s natural beauty while promoting sustainable construction practices.

The Plan: Turning Plastic Waste into a Sustainable Resource

Ele Collection’s strategy is clear and impactful:

1. Plastic Waste Collection and Cleanup: The initiative starts with a large-scale cleanup of Victoria Falls City and the surrounding national parks, targeting plastic waste in urban areas, tourist hotspots, and conservation zones. Collection teams, assembled from some of the poorest members of the community will benefit, as waste plastic now has a value.
2. Recycling and Repurposing Plastic Pollution: Collected plastic waste (all 7 resin types) is processed and converted into an innovative building aggregate, called Plazrok. This can be used in construction projects, reducing reliance on traditional materials like quarry stone, thereby lowering the environmental footprint of the industry.
3. Expansion to the KAZA Region: Once the Victoria Falls cleanup is successfully underway, Ele Collection will extend its efforts to the greater KAZA region, tackling plastic pollution across this vast and ecologically significant area.

Through these efforts, Ele Collection is not just addressing a waste problem—they are pioneering a sustainable future for Victoria Falls and beyond. By supporting their initiative, businesses, residents, and tourists alike can contribute to recycling in Victoria Falls, reducing plastic pollution, and preserving this natural wonder for generations to come.

Cleanup of plastic waste
Photo: Ele Collection, Victoria Falls

If you would like to find out more details on the Ele Collection initiative and how it all began (which is a very interesting story) Please visit their website – The Ele Collection / About us

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