WINDHOEK residents will soon be able to earn an income by collecting and selling their recyclable waste to the City of Windhoek.
This comes after the City of Windhoek received a grant from the European Union to the tune of N$36,8 million, under the Windhoek-Bremen cities cooperation to construct two waste buy-back centres.
The first-ever waste buy-back centres for the City of Windhoek will be constructed at the corner of Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Bondel Streets in Katutura.
The project is titled: ‘Improving solid waste management in Windhoek’.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Windhoek on Monday, Windhoek mayor Sade Gawanas said the project supports the 2018 national waste management strategy, which aims to make Namibia a leading country in Africa in terms of solid waste management standards by 2028.
Gawanas said the initiative will also support the City of Windhoek’s integrated waste management plan, which targets a total waste reduction.
The project is expected to recycle 2 000 tonnes of waste, with 100 monthly drop-offs by 2025, and about 6 800 school pupils will be involved in solid waste management programmes, Gawanas said.
“About 200 000 residents will be sensitised about the project on waste recycling.”
Head of the European Union delegation to Namibia Sinikka Antila said the project will support resource efficiency and create much needed employment opportunities at various stages.
“This is all very commendable and necessary, as it directly addresses some of the most pressing needs of the population in Windhoek,” Antila said.
Antila urged Windhoek residents to restore Windhoek to its former glory of being the cleanest city in Africa.
“Let it be our mutual ambition, and [let us] utilise the means available under this new project to bring Windhoek to where it was some years ago,” she said.
Chairperson of the provision of basic services committee Fransina Kahungu said population growth in Windhoek has resulted in an increase of waste generated monthly, which has subsequently placed a toll on Windhoek’s landfills and shortened their lifespan.
“We strive to achieve these goals in the most efficient and effective manner possible to prevent waste build-up in the city,” Kahungu said.
A paradigm shift towards waste management focusing on waste minimisation and recycling is needed, said Kahungu, noting that the operationalisation of the waste buy-back centres will create the necessary awareness towards this mind shift.
Waste buy-back centres will receive waste, handle it, add value to it for resale, or give it to the recycling sector as raw materials for remanufacturing.