The escalating crisis of solid waste accumulation in Africa has reached a critical juncture, as highlighted at the Africa’s Green Economy Summit held in Cape Town. Catalina Marulanda, the World Bank Practice Manager in Urban Development for Central & Southern Africa, underscored the dire statistics during a panel discussion on the circular economy and solid waste management, revealing that sub-Saharan Africa’s annual solid waste generation of approximately 200 million tonnes is projected to triple by 2050. Alarmingly, over 70% of this waste is not collected but rather indiscriminately dumped into the environment, exacerbating health issues, causing flooding, and stifling urban development and competitiveness.
The summit shed light on the inherent challenges within the waste management sector, traditionally seen as a municipal responsibility, yet plagued by insufficient resources and capacity. This deficiency underscores a broader disconnection between existing waste management practices and the principles of a circular economy, which aims to redesign waste out of the production and consumption processes.
Florence Larbi, COO of the Jospong Group from Ghana, highlighted the complexities of working with government entities as both a challenge and an opportunity. Despite issues with delayed payments, government partnerships can facilitate risk mitigation, enabling easier access to both local and international funding, advocacy, and policy influence.
The discussion also ventured into the economic potential of landfill sites, which are often bustling hubs of activity. Ntobeko Boyana from Ben Peta Holdings and the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) suggested formalizing and improving safety measures around these activities by collaborating with research institutions to explore innovative waste management solutions, including the integration of waste pickers into the formal economy.
Dave Morrey of EnviroServ reflected on the shift from landfill-centric waste management to embracing alternative waste processing methods. This transition is part of a broader move towards viewing waste as a resource, leading to the development of non-landfill activities and the pursuit of sustainable partnerships to repurpose waste.
Ghana’s approach to waste management, as shared by Larbi, exemplifies this shift towards a circular economy. The country has begun to revamp its waste processing infrastructure by investing in composting rather than waste-to-power solutions, driven by a practical need for local fertilizer alternatives amid global supply chain disruptions. This initiative not only addresses immediate agricultural needs but also represents a step towards closing the resource loop, supported by significant climate funding.
The summit’s discussions revealed a consensus on the urgent need for a paradigm shift in Africa’s solid waste management practices. Moving towards a circular economy requires a multifaceted approach, involving the redesign of products, the enhancement of waste processing infrastructure, and the fostering of public-private partnerships. By reimagining waste as a valuable resource, Africa can mitigate environmental impacts, generate economic opportunities, and contribute to the global movement towards sustainability. This transformative vision calls for innovation, collaboration, and sustained investment in the sector, aiming to create a resilient and prosperous future for the continent.
Source: ESI Africa
