Waste Disposal: Going Beyond Collection

It is no more a secret that waste disposal has become a major pre-occupation for stakeholders in Cameroon. In nearly all the big cities, waste heaps has sprouted along the main streets. The ordour that emanates from the household waste is a constant major health hazard to the population. In the nation’s capital, household waste have blocked more than half the roadsides of some streets. It is true that the production of waste is inevitable for every person and businesses across all sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, construction, agriculture and more. But the number one dilemma with waste is how to dispose it. After several promises and fruitless attempts to remedy the situation, it is time the different stakeholders started looking at how they can make good use of waste beyond collection and dumping. 
It sounds funny for someone to learn that in a country with a population of nearly 30 million inhabitants, more than half living in urban areas, there is no waste recycling industry. Is it because there are no means? No…It is the lack of will. In a God-gifted country like Cameroon, going beyond the collection of waste will not only boost the economy by creating direct and indirect jobs, but will also spare the people from several environmental and health worries. To achieve this goal, there is need to overcome challenges in managing waste such as e-waste, appliances, oils, petrol, and lubricants. The lack of a comprehensive and effective system for the collection, treatment and adequate infrastructure, limited awareness, and weak enforcement of regulations are major hindrances to the recycling of waste. While some recycling initiatives have emerged, majority are improperly disposed, leading to the release of toxic substances into the environment, especially when there is open burning as we have been witnessing in most streets in Yaounde. 
To address these challenges, there is urgent need for significant investments in the recycling of waste management infrastructure, capacity building, and public awareness campaigns. The enactment of legislation aimed at addressing waste management issues, including regulations on waste disposal, recycling, and environmental protection is a significant step that the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development (the primary government body responsible for overseeing waste management policies) must capitalize on. In many countries in the world, recycling is not only beneficial for the environment but also for the economy. The recycling industry creates various job opportunities, from collection and sorting to processing and manufacturing. By supporting recycling initiatives and investing in recycling infrastructure, we can generate employment in these industries. Recycling provides a source of income for many individuals and contributes to the overall economic growth of communities. By recognizing the economic potential of recycling, we can create a sustainable economy that benefits both the environment and society.
With municipal waste set to rise by two thirds due to population explosion, only a drastic decision will secure a better future. Identifying actionable steps to a more resourceful future and emphasizing the pivotal role decision-makers in the public and private sectors have to play is very important. Here, the government and the private sector are expected to put in collective efforts to support bold and transformative solutions, rev...