Education, Awareness and Community Empowerment Through Recycling.
We transform waste into opportunity across Zimbabwe.
Founded by Mary Wazara and Domi Pettifar, the Foundation empowers women and communities around Zimbabwe to reclaim their environment and create financial independence.
Through hands-on training in recycling and business, the foundation is not only helping to clean up the landscape but paving the way for a sustainable, self-sufficient future.
Our History
The Recycling Lady’s journey began with a vision to address Zimbabwe’s growing wastecrisis while empowering women facing economic hardship. Some years ago, The Recycling Lady noticed the worsening problem of plastic and other waste piling up in communities around Harare and recognized the untapped potential in this crisis. What if discarded materials could be transformed into a resource, creating both cleaner spaces and sustainable livelihoods?
Starting with a small group, The Recycling Lady partnered with local initiatives like the IVA Women’s Group in Domboshava to train women in recycling and business skills. Together they’ve built a model that’s both practical and impactful. Participants collect, sort, and sell waste, turning rubbish into financial independence. Today, The Recycling Lady has become a leading force in community-driven recycling, proving that with the right support, even the most overlooked resources can fuel lasting change.
Mary’s Story
“Waste isn’t merely waste-it’s opportunity,” says Mary Wazara, founder of The Recycling Lady. In Zimbabwe, where plastic and other waste overflows in Harare and nearby communities, Mary saw an urgent need and a unique chance to make a difference.
The Recycling Lady was founded with a simple mission: to transform discarded materials into sustainable livelihoods, especially for women facing economic challenges.
