The Waste Management Problem in West Africa & the Holistic Solution

Waste

Solid, fluid, hazardous and non-toxic waste is generated in our households, offices, schools, hospitals, and industries. How this waste is handled often depends on its source and characteristics, as well as any local, state, and federal regulations that govern its management. It is an obvious statement that there is not nearly enough being done to resolve the consequences of past mismanagement, lack of innovation and unfortunately, complete apathy.

 

 

But what will it take? And is it possible to do in a short amount of time? We have to look at the all the facts to assess properly.

 

 

 

Waste Figures and Facts in West Africa –

 

•    Toxic pollutants are a major environmental concern due to burning garbage. For example: a byproduct of burning garbage is carbon monoxide, a carcinogen that causes cancer.

 

•    80% of the waste produced in Senegal is household waste. More waste is generated in the urban areas than in the rural areas due to the increase in living standards and the consumption of wrapped and packaged goods.

 

•    Lack of proper infrastructure and fast-growing populations contribute largely to increased waste-related concerns.

 

•    Electronic waste is one of the most difficult challenges, as toxicity exposure creates serious health risks to those directly in contact with it.

 

•    Approximately 500 shipping containers from developed countries are dumped in Africa each month with the total amount of waste being dumped in Africa estimated at 50 million tones today.

 

 

Waste Management in West Africa

 

There is a massive lack of waste management systems (Disposal; Collection; Sorting; Recycling) in all West African countries. Only 40% of waste in all West Africa is being disposed of in a proper manner, and only 2% is recycled.

 

 

Most of the waste ends up in landfills or dumped into the ocean. This causes severe health and environmental issues including:

•    Malaria and waterborne diseases as a direct result of the smell of landfills that attracts flies and the toxins that seep into the soil and water supply.

•    Incineration of solid waste products – (burning garbage) which creates a toxic pollution that causes serious health issues.

 

 

Out of 108 million metric tons of waste generated in West Africa a year (and growing), about 98 million tons of waste went straight into landfills. The ramifications of this are incalculable. With E-waste being widely reported as the largest issue in West Africa, it creates yet another factor to consider. E-waste is comprised of waste from cellphones, laptops, air conditioners and refrigerators. All which contain toxic elements such as mercury and lead, and if not managed properly can be very dangerous to the environment, local water supply and people around the vicinity.

 

 

A Brilliant Solution:

 

West Africa needs a holistic recycling and repurposing option for its mountains of waste. Its naturally beautiful mountains and topography should not be destroyed by inaction.

 

The excuse of not implementing such a solution is all about the cost of the implementation. The absence of money in West Africa has contributed to the vast amount of waste; causing countries in this area, some of the poorest in the world, to take on waste as a way to generate real income, instead of just picking through the landfill to scavenge something to sell for a bite to eat!

 

Today, technology exists to create revenue efficient business models by repurposing the waste. Whether for a product, energy or biogas, the implications are staggering. West Africa could generate billions of dollars annually through recycled waste! This would create a whole new economy and bring much-needed jobs to the citizens.

 

A few things need to happen to revolutionize the waste industry and turn this trash into cash.

 

•    Regulation enforcement of environment standards by local and national governments

 

•    Material incentive which will be great enough to inspire locals to collect and dispose of waste properly and not along the street

 

•    Private sector interest in large yield business ventures, most supplying an ROI within 3-5 years, and continued yield of 20-25%.

 

A comprehensive solution will create a self-sufficient waste economy that can increase income, heal the environment and create new jobs, instead of new diseases.

 

 

New life can be given to the repurposed raw materials by creating products of value for retail, construction, energy, agriculture, and more – growing your local economy with additional income and employment.

 

 

The Bottom Line

Waste is valuable! It’s built of materials that make our economy run and NOW is the time to turn our waste into wealth!