ABOUT WASTE AFRICA
Initiative for the Advancement of Waste Management in Africa (aka W.A.S.T.E Africa) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political, non-religious and voluntary organization formed to be a leading source of innovative solutions and strong advocacy for a sustainable ecosystem of solid waste management; engaging government, commercial and residential stakeholders in Nigeria and the African Continent.
W.A.S.T.E Africa’s mission is to increase awareness of WASTE challenges and solutions especially targeted at women/girls and at-risk youths on the African continent starting with Nigeria, and most importantly convert that heightened awareness into ACTION which then leads to IMPACT. The Focus Areas are Waste Management; Affordable Energy & Action for Climate Change; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Technology/Innovation; Economic Empowerment/Growth.
Our Focus Areas
We are reexamining interventions and scaling programs that address issues and provide avenues to overcome problems related to W.A.S.T.E
W – Waste Management.
A – Affordable Energy & Action for Climate Change.
S – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
T – Technology/Innovation.
E – Economic Empowerment/Growth ie Financial Inclusion.
OUR VISION
To be a leading source of innovative solutions and strong advocacy for a sustainable ecosystem of solid waste management engaging government, commercial and residential stakeholders in Nigeria and the African Continent.
OUR MISSION
Advocacy + Action = Impact
To be a leader and catalytic agent for practical and community led transformational initiatives and engagement in both urban and rural areas by developing replicable models of innovative practices, resource management, sustainable viability, policy development and education in the field of W.A.S.T.E Management,(Waste Management, Affordable Energy & Action for Climate Change, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Technology/Innovation, Economic Empowerment/Growth), our mission is to increase awareness of WASTE challenges and solutions especially targeted at women/girls and at-risk youths on the African continent starting with Nigeria, and most importantly convert that heightened awareness into ACTION which then leads to IMPACT.
WHY WASTE:
Good and sustainable waste management culture is a very uncommon trait in the globe especially in the third world where Africa belongs. Poor Waste management culture has been on the increase due to our technological breakthrough despite the warnings from world organization like W.H.O, United Nations and other concerned bodies. This menace brought about disruptions in the ecosystem, which has led to Climate Change, Poor hygienic practices, Poor health and above all, severe effect on the economy of the globe and Africa in particular.
Climate Change
The conventional waste disposing mechanism which involves gathering into landfill where they are later set ablaze is becoming unfashionable because this process not only releases greenhouse gas Methane (CH4) to the atmosphere which disrupts the ozone layer and affects the ecosystem, but also defaces the land.
The most recent threat in our ecosystem is plastic waste, according to the United Nations report, 13 million tonnes of plastic leak into our ocean yearly making the ecosystem inhabitable for marine animals. WASTE Africa aims at rescuing the environment through the promotion of the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle).
Health
Indiscriminate disposal of these wastes defaces the environment, block waterways (drainages) and harbor harmful animals. These can lead to flooding, disease outbreak (malaria, lassa fever) and unhygienic environment.
Education
We will be sending 2,500 kids to school annually and About 263 million children and youth are out of school (UIS). These includes 61 million children of primary school age, 60 million of lower secondary school age, and 142 million of those of upper secondary school age (UIS). In Africa, 93 million children and youth of primary and secondary school ages are out of school (UNESCO/GEM report). WASTE Africa aims at using waste as a vehicle to educate 2500 kids annually. This is possible through our Bottles-for-Books initiative.
Empowerment
Nothing is considered ‘waste’ but simply displaced commodity, WASTE Africa reintegrates this displaced commodity into the value chain through the empowerment of women and at-risk youths who are at the bottom of the economic pyramid and in most instances are not part of the financial ecosystem. These women and youths serve as collectors and processors of the collected displaced commodities. During the course of collection, they also educate the public on the effective ways of waste management. These women and youths are employed and encouraged to open bank accounts and form saving cooperatives amongst themselves.
Community Development
When the wastes are managed well and reintegrate into the value chain, it improves the quality of lives, bringing tangible health and economic benefits, thereby contributing to poverty reduction.
Our Impacts with Numbers
700+
Bottles for Books Recipients
1000kg
Recyclable waste collected from C4T hubs
11
Cash4Trash Recycling hubs established
50+
Number of
Volunteers
40+
# of Communities Reached
1,200+
Waste Pickers Supported
Projects
Our Partners
