On this page
Overview
According to the World Bank (What a Waste 2.0 report), 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste were generated per year worldwide (2020). The projection is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tons by 2050 (+70%). High-income countries generate 34% of global waste with only 16% of the population.
Africa currently generates 174 million tons of waste per year, expected to reach 250 million tons by 2030, with a low formal collection rate (<50%) and recycling rate (<10%). The major challenges are rapid urbanization, limited municipal budgets, and the dominance of the informal sector.
Project Goal
The No Waste Land project aims to create a sustainable waste management system in African cities by integrating informal waste actors, recovering organic resources, and building local recycling markets.
Objectives
1. Collaborative trainings
Collaborative trainings to the population and trainers on formal collection and recycling.
2. Provide equipment
Provide equipment to the informal sector for waste separation.
3. Transform the waste
Transform the waste into compost rich in humus used as a soil amendment, biogas, digestate, bioethanol and organic acids, synthesis gas, pyrolytic oils, biochar, and syngas.
4. Create a functioning recycling market
Create a functioning recycling market.
Opportunities
- Organic recovery: compost, biochar, biogas
- Local innovations: startups, cooperatives
- Climate financing
Expected Impact
- Improved formal collection and recycling rates
- Enhanced livelihoods for waste informal sector workers
- Reduced organic waste sent to landfills
- Sustainable local market for recycled and organic products
Gallery
