There was a time when Pomona was synonymous with smoke, overflowing heaps of waste and an unbearable stench.
For decades, Harare’s dumpsite symbolised the city’s growing waste management crisis. Open dumping, underground fires and mounting environmental concerns had become the norm.
That story began to change on 28 April 2022.
When Geo Pomona Waste Management took over operations under a Joint Venture Concession Agreement with the City of Harare, it inherited one of the country’s most complex environmental challenges. Three years on, the transformation is undeniable.
What was once an uncontrolled dumpsite is steadily evolving into a modern, integrated waste management facility built around sustainability, innovation and environmental stewardship.
Geo Pomona introduced structured waste management systems, replacing open dumping with engineered processes designed to improve efficiency, safety and compliance.
Internal roads, security systems and dedicated operational zones now support a more organised approach to waste handling, while historic waste deposits have been rehabilitated to reduce emissions and improve site stability. The fires that once defined Pomona have largely disappeared.
Today, waste is weighed, sorted and managed through controlled processes that support recycling and safer disposal practices, including dedicated hazardous waste infrastructure.
The vision, however, extends far beyond waste disposal.
At the centre of the project is the planned Waste-to-Energy plant, designed to process approximately 1,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily and generate between 16 and 22 megawatts of electricity for the national grid.
Through controlled thermal treatment, waste that would otherwise end up in landfill will be converted into energy, reducing environmental impact while contributing to Zimbabwe’s renewable energy ambitions.
The transformation has also created opportunities for people. More than 1,200 jobs have been generated across the operation, supporting livelihoods and building skills in engineering, environmental management, administration and technical services.
Perhaps most surprising is how Pomona has evolved into more than just a waste management facility.
The site now boasts modern recreational amenities, including a FIFA-certified football pitch, as well as basketball and tennis courts, reflecting a commitment to employee wellbeing and community engagement.
Visitors can also enjoy The Sprout, Geo Pomona’s new restaurant, now open to walk-in guests. The restaurant offers a welcoming space for meetings, meals and relaxation, adding another dimension to the site’s remarkable reinvention.
Students, policymakers, local authorities and international delegations have all toured the facility to witness firsthand how innovation can reshape one of the most difficult urban challenges.
Pomona’s story is no longer simply about waste.
It is about possibility.
It is the story of turning an environmental liability into a national asset; of transforming a place once associated with decay into one defined by innovation, sustainability and hope.
From dumpsite to destination, Geo Pomona is helping redefine the future of waste management in Zimbabwe.
