Não é lixo
Location: Macaneta, Mozambique
Area: 6,000 m2
Budget: 90.000$
To be completed in: 2025
Client: City of Macaneta
With:
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane - Maputo
Cooperativa Repensar - Macaneta
bio-Agro - Maputo
Não é lixo
Location: Macaneta, Mozambique
Area: 6,000 m2
Budget: 90.000$
To be completed in: 2025
Client: City of Macaneta
With:
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane - Maputo
Cooperativa Repensar - Macaneta
bio-Agro - Maputo
Não é lixo is a sustainable development initiative for the primary school of Macaneta, 40 km North of Maputo, Mozambique. The upcycling concept repurposes locally collected waste to create outdoor furniture, water tanks, and a new classroom in collaboration with the Faculty of Environmental Law at the University of Maputo. Gardens for growing vegetables and fruits are integrated into the school program. Additionally, the existing slope is transformed into a level football field using plastic bottle terraces, and a bamboo plantation provides construction material for playground maintenance and future projects.
Não é lixo is a sustainable development initiative for the primary school of Macaneta, 40 km North of Maputo, Mozambique. The zero-waste concept repurposes locally collected waste to create outdoor furniture, water tanks, and a new classroom in collaboration with the Faculty of Environmental Law at the University of Maputo. Gardens for growing vegetables and fruits are integrated into the school program. Additionally, the existing slope is transformed into a level football field using plastic bottle terraces, and a bamboo plantation provides construction material for playground maintenance and future projects.
The context:
The context:
The project site lies on a narrow strip of land between the Incomati River and the Indian Ocean, a fragile ecosystem threatened by river erosion, which is worsened by human activity and pollution. Macaneta's Primary School in 2024: The outdoor space faces major challenges, including insufficient shade, inadequate play facilities, a sloped football field, lack of seating, and a poor water harvesting system.
The project site lies on a narrow strip of land between the Incomati River and the Indian Ocean, a fragile ecosystem threatened by river erosion, which is worsened by human activity and pollution. Macaneta's Primary School in 2024: The outdoor space faces major challenges, including insufficient shade, inadequate play facilities, a sloped football field, lack of seating, and a poor water harvesting system.
In a country facing poor waste management, it’s crucial to ask: "Can we enhance a school’s outdoors without generating additional waste?"
In a country facing poor waste management, it’s crucial to ask: "Can we enhance a school’s outdoors without generating additional waste?"
The Hulene dump site in Maputo in 2024 on the left. The landfill collapsed in 2018 killing 16 people. In Mozambique, inadequate waste collection and disposal result in environmental pollution and large amounts of potentially upcyclable materials being dumped, limiting reuse.
The Hulene dump site in Maputo in 2024 on the left. The landfill collapsed in 2018 killing 16 people. In Mozambique, inadequate waste collection and disposal result in environmental pollution and large amounts of potentially upcyclable materials being dumped, limiting reuse.
Are there successful recycling stories in Mozambique that we can integrate in the project?
Are there successful recycling stories in Mozambique that we can integrate in the project?
Car tires and fishing nets are transformed into durable ropes and are widely used in construction.
Car tires and fishing nets are transformed into durable ropes and are widely used in construction.
Carlos Serra, Coordinator of the Environmental Law Center at the University of Maputo, started the Eco Center Repensar in Macaneta. Glass bottles are recycled and either directly used to build construction walls or crushed to make bricks and foundations.
Carlos Serra, Coordinator of the Environmental Law Center at the University of Maputo, started the Eco Center Repensar in Macaneta. Glass bottles are recycled and either directly used to build construction walls or crushed to make bricks and foundations.
The amphitheater at the Yopipila Community Center in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, is made entirely of plastic bottles filled with sand.
The amphitheater at the Yopipila Community Center in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, is made entirely of plastic bottles filled with sand.
Transforming a blank open space into a recycling incubator and educational hub
Transforming a blank open space into a recycling incubator and educational hub
The concept for the outdoor areas of the Primary School in Macaneta aims to extend the educational program to include a range of recycling techniques. Rainwater harvesting tanks, outdoor furniture, and a new classroom made of plastic and glass bottles will demonstrate to both students and parents how to upcycle waste in ways that can be replicated at home.
The concept for the outdoor areas of the Primary School in Macaneta aims to extend the educational program to include a range of recycling techniques. Rainwater harvesting tanks, outdoor furniture, and a new classroom made of plastic and glass bottles will demonstrate to both students and parents how to upcycle waste in ways that can be replicated at home.
A sustainable playground of recycled materials and homegrown bamboo
A sustainable playground of recycled materials and homegrown bamboo
The playground will be built entirely from recycled car tires, fishing nets, and bamboo grown in the new nursery within the school garden.
The playground will be built entirely from recycled car tires, fishing nets, and bamboo grown in the new nursery within the school garden.
Terraces for playing, learning and gardening
Terraces for playing, learning and gardening
The natural slope of the courtyard is leveled into three terraces separated by two steps made of plastic bottles. A vegetable garden will grow between the school buildings, and a bamboo nursery is planned near the new classroom made of glass bottles.
The natural slope of the courtyard is leveled into three terraces separated by two steps made of plastic bottles. A vegetable garden will grow between the school buildings, and a bamboo nursery is planned near the new classroom made of glass bottles.
