• Environment

Residents benefit from unique waste buy-back initiative

• 1 Month Ago - 2024-12-03 08:39:00

The City of Windhoek paid over N$164 000 to residents who collected and sold recyclable materials to the municipality’s landmark Waste Buy-Back Centre in Katutura, a recycling initiative supported by the European Union (EU).
The City released figures showing that it paid N$61 917 for various waste materials, including paper, newspapers, clear plastic, plastic bottles, and beverage cans.
In addition, N$102 159 was paid to residents who collected and sold alcoholic beverage bottles, totalling 89 661 to the centre.
Much of the waste received at the centre consisted of beer bottles, including 71 397 Tafel, Windhoek and Draught bottles, for which the City paid N$71 397.
Clear plastic waste, totalling 5 299 items, was bought from residents for N$16 956, while N$22 153 was paid in exchange for 2 215 beverage cans.
Gideon Hengari, the City's section head for solid waste management announced the figures.
"At the City, the solid waste management division has played an instrumental role in transforming how waste is handled through the development and implementation of policies, strategies and frameworks," he said.
Hengari noted that waste management in Namibia is guided by a range of legal instruments designed to promote sustainable environmental practices and public health.
Challenges
Hengari added that historically, waste management in Windhoek was approached with indifference or inadequate measures.
"Common strategies included ignoring the problem with an attitude of 'I don’t care' or shifting responsibility with the notion of 'my waste is not my problem', diluting the issue to make it seem less harmful and employing the 'end of pipe' approach, which focused solely on cleaning public spaces without addressing waste prevention."
As the city’s population has surged – from 200 000 in 2006 to over 490 000 in 2024 – Windhoek faces mounting challenges in expanding public infrastructure and tackling waste management issues.
"These include littering, unregulated street vendors, resource competition between city departments and law enforcement challenges," he said.
He said Windhoek has undergone a significant transition in waste management, evolving from basic waste collection practices to a more integrated approach.
In the past, waste management was primarily focused on cleaning open spaces and street sweeping. However, the current focus is on waste prevention, minimisation and recycling, with disposal considered a last resort.
"This shift aligns with the global movement toward a circular economy, where waste is minimised and resources are continually reused."
The Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) 2022-2027 outlines the key areas for advancing this transition.
"These include capacity building through education and awareness, promoting waste minimisation, recycling, reuse and recovery, ensuring compliance through monitoring and enforcement and securing investment and financing for waste management services," he explained.
Filling pockets
Hengari underlined that a crucial element of the City's modern waste management strategy is the operation of Waste Buy-Back Centres.
These centres provide a platform for residents to sell recyclable materials, thus supporting recycling efforts and reducing waste sent to landfills while ensuring an income for residents.
"The city has secured funding from the EU (N$36.8 million) to develop these centres, with a two-year pilot programme in place. Private sector partnerships are also being explored to expand this network," he said.
So far, only one centre has been established, and the City is working towards building the next.