NURTURE NATURE FOUNDATION’S ADVOCACY FOR A WASTE SEGREGATION LAW IN GHANA

By Samuel Owusu-Aduomi 

Ghana stands at a critical juncture in its environmental sustainability efforts. With increasing urbanization, waste generation has surged, necessitating innovative and effective waste management strategies. The Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), is championing a legislative policy that will make waste segregation compulsory for every citizen. This initiative aligns with global best practices and aims to transform waste into a valuable economic resource.

As urban populations grow, the volume of waste produced has reached alarming levels, placing immense pressure on landfills and existing waste management infrastructure. Currently, Ghana faces significant challenges in waste disposal, with indiscriminate dumping leading to environmental degradation, public health crises, and marine pollution. A structured and legally enforced waste segregation system could mitigate these challenges by promoting responsible waste disposal and enhancing recycling efforts.

According to Peter Asiedu, Executive Director, Nurture Nature Foundation, “Waste is not just waste; it is a resource waiting to be harnessed. Through effective segregation and recycling, we can transform Ghana’s waste crisis into an economic opportunity that creates jobs, conserves the environment, and fosters sustainable development.” 

The NNF’s advocacy for a national waste segregation law stems from its commitment to environmental sustainability, circular economy principles, and public health improvements. By collaborating with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and local communities, the foundation aims to build a robust framework that not only enforces compliance but also educates the public on the benefits of waste segregation.

The proposed policy will require households, businesses, and institutions to separate their waste into distinct categories such as organic, recyclable, and hazardous materials. This approach will streamline waste collection processes, increase efficiency in recycling, and create job opportunities in the waste management sector. Moreover, segregating waste at the source will help reduce the burden on landfill sites and limit greenhouse gas emissions associated with improper waste disposal.

To ensure the successful implementation of this law, NNF is advocating for a multi-stakeholder approach that includes public awareness campaigns, infrastructure development, and stringent enforcement mechanisms. Public education programs will be essential in fostering behavioral change and encouraging citizen participation. Additionally, investment in waste processing facilities and recycling plants will be crucial in accommodating the increased volume of sorted waste materials.

The initiative also presents economic benefits, as a well-structured waste segregation system can attract investors in the recycling and waste-to-energy industries. Countries that have implemented similar policies have witnessed a significant reduction in waste-related pollution and have successfully turned waste into a resource that fuels economic growth. Ghana stands to gain immensely from adopting this model, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable waste management in Africa.

The Urgency for a Waste Segregation Law

Records indicate that Accra alone generates approximately 300 metric tons of plastic waste daily, with only 5% being recycled. This leads to severe environmental hazards, including pollution, biodiversity loss, and public health risks. By implementing a Waste Segregation Law, Ghana can establish a structured waste management system that ensures waste is properly sorted at the source, paving the way for effective recycling and resource recovery.

Transforming Waste into a Valuable Commodity

NNF’s advocacy emphasizes the economic potential of waste through three key areas:

1. Composting from Post-Harvest Farm Products
   Agricultural waste, often discarded, holds immense potential for composting. By processing organic waste into compost, farmers can enhance soil fertility, improve crop yields, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. This not only benefits the agricultural sector but also promotes sustainable land management and reduces methane emissions from decomposing organic matter.
2. Energy Generation through Biogas
   Organic waste, including food scraps and agricultural residues, can be converted into biogas, a renewable energy source. Biogas production contributes to Ghana’s energy mix by providing an alternative to fossil fuels. Small and large-scale biogas plants can be established across the country to generate electricity and support off-grid communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Recycling Waste Plastics for Industrial Use
   The plastic waste crisis in Ghana is alarming, but it also presents an opportunity. Waste plastics can be repurposed into industrial raw materials, reducing the dependency on virgin plastics. The NNF and MESTI have engaged waste sorting centers and recycling plants to promote plastic recovery and reintegration into the production cycle. This initiative fosters a circular economy, creates jobs, and minimizes environmental degradation.

Insights from Waste Sorting Centers and Recycling Plants

To understand the realities of waste management in Ghana, a team from NNF and MESTI visited several waste sorting and recycling centers, including:

• Darkuman Cable and Wireless: A hub with over 150 sorting centers employing 870 workers, predominantly women and youth. Here, waste plastics are sorted, crushed, and processed into pellets for resale to recycling companies.
• Dzatakpor Dump Site at Glefe: An informal dump site where waste pickers recover valuable materials, despite hazardous conditions. The site exemplifies the need for better waste management policies.
• Korle Estuary and Korle Dump Site: A site where plastics are collected and processed into crushed pellets for industrial reuse, highlighting the economic potential of waste recovery.
• Paper Mill Nigeria Limited and Star Plastics Company Limited: Companies engaged in recycling plastic bottles and sachets, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale recycling operations.

Challenges Facing Waste Pickers and Sorters

Despite the economic potential of waste segregation, numerous challenges persist:

• Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), exposing workers to health risks.
• Absence of rest shelters, leaving workers vulnerable to harsh weather conditions.
• Unregulated pricing of waste materials, affecting the income stability of waste collectors.
• Illegal dumping activities threatening biodiversity, such as the waste deposits at the Dzatakpor Lagoon.

Policy Recommendations and the Way Forward

To address these challenges and actualize the benefits of waste segregation, NNF proposes:

• Formalizing and regulating waste segregation practices through a national law.
• Creating designated waste sorting centers with better working conditions.
• Providing capacity-building programs for waste workers and ensuring access to PPE.
• Establishing buy-back centers to encourage waste collection and recycling.
• Strengthening collaborations between government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organizations to scale up recycling efforts.

Call for Partnership Support

The Nurture Nature Foundation recognizes that achieving a sustainable waste management system requires collective action. We invite government agencies, corporate organizations, international partners, and civil society groups to collaborate in this vital endeavor. By joining forces, we can expand waste segregation initiatives, enhance infrastructure, and create long-term solutions for effective waste management. Private sector investment in recycling and waste processing facilities will be instrumental in driving a circular economy, while educational institutions can play a key role in awareness campaigns and research to instill responsible waste management habits in future generations.

NNF welcomes partnerships in areas such as policy advocacy, infrastructure development, research and innovation, and community outreach programs. Together, we can turn waste into a resource, foster economic development, and safeguard the environment for future generations.

Conclusion

Waste segregation is not merely an environmental issue—it is an economic and social imperative. Through legislative backing, public awareness, and private sector engagement, Ghana can transform its waste management landscape. The Nurture Nature Foundation’s advocacy for a Waste Segregation Law is a step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable nation. By embracing waste as a resource, Ghana can create jobs, boost economic growth, and protect the environment for future generations.