The document proposes sustainable waste management solutions for the Greater Banjul Area of Gambia. It discusses challenges like lack of proper collection and disposal systems. The current practice of open dumping pollutes the environment. The document recommends introducing a recycling system to shift from waste disposal to resource recovery. A proposed model involves stakeholders working together through education, regulated collection, and integrating scavengers into recycling. Sorting waste at the household level and using motorbikes instead of dump trucks could improve the system while creating jobs and reducing pollution.

1. UNIVERSITY OF THE GAMBIA
School of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Environmental Science Programme
Introduction of a Recycling system for sustainable
municipal solid waste management: A case study
on the greater Banjul area of the Gambia
Hon. Dr. Edward Saja Sanneh

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Sustainable MSWM in the GBA
• Challenges of solid waste management in the GBA
• Composition of MSW in GBA
• Introduction of a recycling system
• Proposed sustainable MSWM model for Gambia
• Discussions
• Conclusions
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3. INTRODUCTION
• Economic development induces environmental degradation
with long-term social consequences
• A significant increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) has
been noted, yet there is no efficient management system
• The scenario so far has not properly integrated other
solutions like collection, treatment, reuse, reprocessing, and
final disposal.
• Integrated waste management strategies like recycling,
would ensure sustainability
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4. Sustainable MSWM in the GBA
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 Authorities in charge of waste management need to modernize their
processes. Recycling technology is a key part of the solution.
 A model has been developed which suggest the involvement of
stakeholders for sustainable MSWM.
 The open dump approach is leading to severe environmental
consequences
 Resource recovery, not waste disposal, must be the ultimate goal
 Mandatory sorting of waste at household level would help greatly in
making recycling activity successful.

5. Geographical representation of the GBA
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6. Major challenges of solid waste management
in the GBA
 Lack of or inadequate level of environmental management
at city level
 Open dump sites
 Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste
 Irregular waste collection as a result of lack of vehicles
 Lack of civil society involvement
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7. Composition of MSW in GBA
Source: Solid Waste Management Study for GBA and Brikama – Waste Survey Report
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8. Impact of non-collection of solid waste in
Gambia
 Visual impacts (smoke, flames, fumes)
 Impact on air quality (PM, TSP, odour)
 Impact on surface water (acidification, eutrophication)
 Impact on groundwater quality (leachate, coliform, bacteria)
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9. Results of the laboratory test of collected water
samples from the dump site
Source: The Gambia Environmental Quality Monitoring and Enforcement & Support for the Bakoteh Dumpsite Waste
Management Study
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10. Introduction of a recycling system
Open dumping a major source of environmental pollution. 10
☺ Change from the disposal-centric approach toward recovery-
centric approach of waste management.
☺ This paradigm shift requires public participation by regulating
and monitoring waste collection and disposal.
☺ In a world of limited resources, recovery is fundamental to
sustainable development.

11. Introduction of a recycling system
► The millennium development goal targets are poverty reduction,
improvement of quality of life, and environmental sustainability (Rio
+20)
► Integrate all technical, economic, social, cultural, and psychological
factors that are often ignored in solid waste programs
► Accordingly, 3R initiatives, to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle waste
► Sustainable options can achieve economic viability, conserve
resources and avert ecological risk.
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12. The crucial factor for a successful recycling of
MSW
◙ Social factors , education, waste characterization,
collection, household and personnel education, resource
recovery, laws and regulations, financial resources can
improve MSWM
◙ Utilizing scavengers as a legitimate agent of MSWM,
represents a perfect illustration of sustainable
development
Jobs are created, poverty is reduced, resources are
conserved, pollution is reduced, and the environment
protected
◙ Such a system-wide perception has the potential to make
significant improvements in MSWM
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13. Collaboration web for sustainable MSWM (Source: Sustainable recycling of municipal solid waste in developing countries Alexis M.
Troschinetz *, James R. Mihelcic)
Collaboration Model
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14. The crucial factor for a successful recycling
of MSW
☼ Collaboration through active participation of all parties
working toward a common goal i.e. material recovery
☼ Educating the MSWM laborers and managers in
understanding the characteristics of the waste stream will
promote efficiency
☼ Government policy provides the regulations needed to
formulate the MSWM plan
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15. Proposed sustainable waste management model for
Gambia
♥ Shifting from end-of-pipe control and open dumping to
source management
♥ Introduction of motorbikes with trailers, along with
separation of waste
♥ Scavengers at the dump site to be incorporated in recycling
activities to improve the existing system
♥ Source reduction, reuse, and recycling are the most
preferred methods, followed by composting, incineration,
and landfills
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16. Scheme for the collection and transportation of
municipal solid waste in the GBA
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17. Resource recycling
® As landfill sites fill up, the real alternative to incineration
is recycling
® In both developing and developed countries, recycling
generates jobs, less pollution, and sustainable
® The production and disposal of large amount of waste
represents squandering the earth’s resources (Limits to
growth)
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Environmental
Social Economic
Sustainable

18. Mandatory waste sorting
● The sorting of wastes creates raw materials, which are
used in manufacturing new products. Thus, the
exploitation of virgin materials is reduced
● This also results in the lowering of the amount of
waste, which ends up at landfills
● The sorting of hazardous waste prevents toxic and
explosive substances from descending into landfills
● Sorting waste is also economically viable.
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19. Upgrading waste management system
 Socioeconomic conditions, operating environment, and actions of
the municipal government should be considered
 MSWM is meant for the public, without the public’s cooperation,
the system cannot be sustainable
 With proper education and campaign programs, recycling could
be started in the country
 The approach’s main strategic objectives should include the
following:
• Create a marketing program for recyclable materials
• Encourage economic growth related to recycling.
• Enhance feasible policies for converting recycled
materials into commercial products.
• Provide technical assistance and training for individuals
engaged in recycling. 19

20. 20
Proposed waste management concept for GBA

21. ▫ Dumper trucks are expensive to buy and maintain, thus we
propose the use of motorbikes with trailers
▫ Resource management strategies, better policy frameworks
can further aid in encouraging recycling in the Gambia
▫ The recycling system should integrate to the effect that
communities, local garbage collection teams, scrap dealers
will all work together to create a system
▫ The human well being of current and future generations must
address social, environmental and economic aspects of
human needs
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Discussions

22. Conclusions
◊ The economic and social development of Gambia to take
into account the protection of the environment
◊ Suggestions/proposals have been made to clear wastes by
door-to-door collection, using motorbikes with trailers,
separating recyclables from non-recyclables
◊ Financial and human resources, legal institutional
framework are fundamental components
◊ The success of a recycling program depends on the active
and sustained participation of citizens in the correct
separation and collection
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23. Penetration rate of selected EEE (in installed units per capita)
Source: Basel Convention e-waste aFriCa program, December 2011
Importation of Used ICT Products (e-waste)
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24. 24
Current end of life management of used ICT products in
West Africa

25. 25
Proposed EPR model to enhance flow of used ICT
products to West in Africa

26. 26

27. 27