From Trash to Treasure: Changing the Face of Waste Management in Ghana through the Sustainable Community Waste Management Model

Available data reveals that Africa generates over 125 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually. The majority of these wastes end up in landfills and incinerators. The consequences of these are environmental pollution from these substandard waste management practices. This menace is compounded by rapid population growth, increased urbanization, and poor infrastructural development on the continent.?

A new research has highlighted one of the holistic efforts that have been synthesized to address the poor waste management crisis. The research elucidates the outcomes of the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO)’s Sustainable Community Project (SCP), which applies circular economy principles to waste management. The project revolves around a regenerative system that ensures the minimization of emissions and energy leakages throughout the lifecycle of a product from resource input to product manufacturing and reentering into the market. The engine of the SCP is the Sustainable Communities Waste Management (SCWM) model.

Underneath the SCWM model lies the principle of stakeholder collaboration. By bringing together Informal Waste Workers (IWWs), waste recyclers, government agencies, local businesses, community organizations, and residents, GAYO has created a platform for collective action in waste management. The benefit of this collaborative approach is the pooling of resources, expertise, and knowledge, resulting in more effective and sustainable waste management practices. The benefits of the project were already evident from the pilot project implemented in New Edubiase, Ghana.

The SCP project has led to the promotion of sound waste management practices in New Edubiase. Through community education and outreach efforts, GAYO has raised awareness about proper waste disposal, recycling, and environmental conservation. As a result, improper waste disposal practices have been significantly reduced, leading to cleaner and healthier communities. Quintessential of these is the channelling of plastic waste into the MRF which usually gets disposed of into the environment. Such practices subsequently lead to the pollution of river bodies with plastics which results in the bioaccumulation of plastics in the food chain.?

The creation of economic opportunities within the target communities is another benefit of the project. The holistic nature of the project created employment and revenue for the Informal Waste Workers (IWW) who collect the waste before sending it to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). At the MRF, the majority of the plastic and textile waste is recycled to make products like aprons, curtains, and backpacks. The organic waste that is brought into the MRF is recycled to make either compost or charcoal briquettes depending on the type of organic waste. These recycling activities contribute to environmental conservation and generate employment and income for community members, fostering economic growth and resilience within the community. Thus, upscaling the project on a national scale will potentially open up a new stream of sustainable jobs for young people, simultaneously provide sustainable management schemes, and promote environmental sustainability.?

In conclusion, most municipal solid waste management systems in Ghana are structured around the linear economy model where waste is disposed of in landfills. The Sustainable Community Project as an alternative has proven to be a better option. The creation of green jobs, proper waste management, and environmental safety are all relevant factors that are assured in the SCWM model. This model is tailor-fit to the Ghanaian and African context and is therefore heavily advocated for replication in different parts of Ghana.

Author: Paul Dankwa . Read the full research findings here .