Sustainability expert to follow on LinkedIn today

Grow your green network with Zoë Lenkiewicz who is helping communities tackle waste across Africa and beyond

May 28, 2025

Hey 👋
Welcome to Green Jobs Rising! Did you know that less than 20% of waste is recycled globally? That leaves around 80% heading straight to landfills. Even more concerning is that only about 9% of plastic waste gets recycled. This is a huge issue for our planet.

This week, our LinkedIn recommendation is a leader who's tackling this very problem. By adding her to your network, you'll gain valuable insights into waste recycling and sustainability.

We’ve also rounded up funding opportunities to help you make a real impact on the environment.

Let’s dive in! 🚀

⏳ Today’s reading time: 2 mins

Good to follow on LinkedIn: Zoë Lenkiewicz

Zoë Lenkiewicz is the founder and director of Global Waste Lab and currently serves as the strategic waste management lead at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) across Gambia.

She has an impressive background. Zoë is the lead author of the UNEP Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 and UNEP’s Towards Zero Waste (2023). She also co-founded an international waste management NGO, helped grow its revenue to over £1 million, and secured the largest unrestricted funding.

Right now, she’s supporting UNITAR and UNDP in Gambia, helping advance waste management systems across the Greater Banjul Region and beyond.

Her track record speaks volumes: she’s led inclusive, affordable waste management initiatives in 15 countries, reducing open dumping and burning, creating dignified jobs, and building community resilience and independence.

Her LinkedIn profile reflects the depth of her work globally. It’s packed with useful insights, from recycling webinars and updates to funding opportunities, event highlights, and practical resources.

As she puts it:
“I am focused on sharing practical, affordable solutions that empower local leaders to drive change. The environmental and health impacts of waste will only worsen if we don’t act quickly, and I’m dedicated to making sure the next generation of leaders has the tools and support they need to create a positive impact.”

👉 Follow her to stay in the loop on global waste innovation, practical solutions, and opportunities worth knowing about.

Funding opportunities in the green sector 

Are you working on a project that could transform the future of energy, water, or environmental sustainability? Here are a few open tenders that might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for:

  • Mozambique / 3MW Solar/BESS Mini-Grids / Tender for four mini-grids combining solar and battery storage in Nampula province. Targeting off-grid energy access.

  • Mauritania / 550MW Gas-to-Power IPPs.Government to receive bids for two gas-fired IPP projects, including a 250MW plant tied to the GTA gas field. Marks the shift to a fully privatized power generation model to support industrial growth and full electrification by 2030.

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The firewood you gather during the dry season keeps you warm in the rain

African saying