Mozambique (MZ)
Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.
Recycling & Waste in Mozambique
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Mozambique does not have a formal household recycling system. Municipal waste collection in Maputo is managed by the Conselho Municipal de Maputo (CMM) — waste is collected 2–3 times per week in served areas but the system is patchy and oversubscribed. All household waste typically goes to landfill. Recycling infrastructure is nascent: a small number of NGO-backed collection points in Maputo accept specific materials (plastics, metal). Environmental awareness is growing, particularly around coastal plastic pollution which is severe — Mozambique's beaches and marine ecosystems are significantly impacted by unmanaged plastic waste. Expats who wish to reduce their environmental impact should focus on source reduction (buying less packaging, using reusable bags and containers) rather than relying on a formal recycling system that does not yet exist at scale.
The Bin System
General Waste
Green or grey (varies by area)Lixo Geral
- ✓All household waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Packaging
- ✓Mixed materials
- ✓No sorting required
- ✗Medical waste — must be disposed of separately at a clinic or pharmacy
- ✗Hazardous chemicals — contact CMM for guidance
- ✗Construction waste (entulho) — arrange separate removal
Recycling (NGO Collection Points — where available)
Yellow or green (site-specific)Reciclagem (pontos de recolha NGO)
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and containers (PET, HDPE)
- ✓Aluminium cans
- ✓Cardboard and paper (dry only)
- ✓Glass bottles (some sites)
- ✗Dirty or contaminated packaging
- ✗Plastic bags
- ✗Styrofoam
- ✗Medical waste
Special Disposal
Eco-Moz NGO (Maputo) — accepts mobile phones, computers, tablets, and small electronics at drop-off points in Maputo. Some retailers accept old phones. Contact your relocation company or ask in the Expats in Mozambique Facebook group for current drop-off locations.
E-waste is a growing problem in Mozambique — do not dispose of electronics in household waste. Components contain toxic materials. When leaving Mozambique, consider bringing electronics back to your home country for proper recycling.
No formal collection system. Some supermarkets (Shoprite) accept used batteries at customer service desks. Check current availability. For large quantities (UPS batteries, generator batteries), contact CMM or a local scrap metal dealer.
Do not dispose of batteries in regular household waste. Lead-acid batteries from UPS or generators can be sold to local scrap metal dealers who recover the lead.
Return to a pharmacy (farmácia) or clinic for disposal. The Aga Khan Hospital and Maputo Medical Centre have dedicated medical waste disposal. Never place syringes, needles, or medical waste in household bins.
Critical for malaria prophylaxis users who self-inject or use injectable medication. Use a sealed sharps container and return to a clinic or pharmacy.
No formal collection. Seal used cooking oil in a sealed container and dispose in household waste — do not pour down drains as it blocks sewage systems. Some local soap-makers accept used cooking oil.
Blocked drains in Maputo are a significant problem partly caused by improper cooking oil disposal.
Arrange private removal with a Maputo waste removal company or discuss with your landlord. The CMM has designated entulho disposal sites. Do not pile construction waste on the street.
If renting and conducting renovations, your lease should specify responsibility for waste removal.
Donate to local charity organisations, church groups, or community schools. The Expats in Mozambique group regularly coordinates donation drives. Second-hand clothing is highly valued — direct donation to trusted organisations is the best approach.
Mozambique receives vast quantities of donated second-hand clothing — direct to trusted NGOs or community organisations rather than piling at collection points that may not be distributed effectively.
Reduce at source — bring reusable bags to supermarkets. Single-use plastic bags are still available in Mozambique but their environmental impact on beaches and ocean is severe. No formal collection or recycling exists for plastic bags.
Mozambique's coastline is severely affected by plastic pollution. Reducing single-use plastic consumption is the most impactful action an expat can take environmentally.
Bulk Waste
Large items (old furniture, appliances, mattresses): arrange private collection with CMM Maputo or a local waste removal company. Some items can be donated to community groups or sold to informal recyclers who call door-to-door in residential areas. When leaving Mozambique, consider donating appliances, furniture, and household goods to NGOs, schools, or community organisations rather than disposing of them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Burning waste — common in residential areas but creates toxic fumes and is a fire hazard. Do not burn waste in urban areas.
- ! Dumping near beaches or waterways — severely damages marine and freshwater ecosystems. Always use designated waste disposal.
- ! Flushing inappropriate items — Maputo's sewage system is not designed for wipes, sanitary products, or large food waste. Only flush toilet paper.
- ! Assuming supermarkets will accept returns — most Mozambican retailers do not have formal recycling programmes despite waste bins being present.
- ! Leaving recyclables outside without a collection system — without a formal collection, loose recyclables on the street become litter.
Fines & Enforcement
The CMM (Conselho Municipal de Maputo) can issue fines for illegal dumping and littering in public spaces. Fines: MT 1,000–10,000 for illegal dumping. In practice, enforcement against individuals is inconsistent but increasing in tourist and commercial areas.
Practical Tips
- → Bring reusable shopping bags to Shoprite and other supermarkets — plastic bags are universally available but reducing your use is genuinely impactful.
- → Carry a reusable water bottle — buy a quality water filter or use a UVC filter for tap water to reduce plastic bottle waste.
- → Compost food waste where possible if you have a garden — composting is practical and beneficial in Mozambique's climate.
- → Support Eco-Moz and local environmental NGOs who are building recycling infrastructure in Mozambique.
- → Participate in beach clean-up events organised by environmental NGOs in Maputo and coastal towns — a tangible local impact action.
- → When leaving Mozambique, donate household goods rather than disposing of them — furniture, appliances, and clothing have real value for local families.
- → Leave clean empty glass beer bottles (2M Beer, Tipo Tinto) at Shoprite bottle collection points where available — local breweries informally reuse them. Alternatively, leave for neighbourhood informal recyclers who resell them to industry.