Africa’s First Automated Waste Collection System Launches at Konza Technopolis

Image source: Envac

Published on June 11, 2025

Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart city project, has implemented Africa’s first automated pneumatic waste collection system. The €8 million system, developed by Envac, is set to serve over 30,000 residents and handle up to 40 tonnes of waste daily.

The system features 100 waste disposal points, a 15-kilometre underground pipe network, and sensor-activated inlets that transport waste to a central collection station. Waste is sorted into organic, mixed, plastic, and paper categories at the source.

By replacing traditional garbage trucks, the technology reduces carbon emissions, noise pollution, and improves urban hygiene. The project aligns with Konza Technopolis’ goal of becoming a zero-emission smart city.

However, while Konza’s leap into pneumatic waste collection marks a significant milestone for Africa, global precedents highlight the importance of careful implementation and long-term viability.

In France, the Clichy-Batignolles eco-district in Paris implemented a similar pneumatic waste system in 2013 with high expectations for modernizing waste management. The system, much like Konza’s, featured underground tubes that transported sorted waste to a central collection station, aiming to reduce emissions, truck traffic, and noise pollution. Yet after more than a decade in operation, the City of Paris announced in May 2024 its decision to dismantle the system.

The move stemmed from high operational costs, maintenance challenges, and limited sorting capacity. The system struggled to handle bulky or improperly sorted waste, and the wear and tear on pipes—especially from abrasive materials like glass—led to frequent technical failures and mounting repair expenses. Ultimately, the cost-effectiveness and reliability of traditional waste collection proved more sustainable in the Parisian context.

These experiences underscore the need for ongoing assessment, community education on waste sorting, and infrastructure resilience in deploying such technologies. For Konza Technopolis, the key to long-term success will lie not only in its pioneering spirit but also in adapting and refining the system based on real-world performance—ensuring that innovation remains sustainable well beyond the initial rollout.

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