Lessons from the Asia-Pacific: As Africa Journeys to host the next IZWCC

By Careen Mwakitalu, GAIA Africa, Communications Associate

The benefits of a zero waste model are a multitude. Household waste sorting, re-use and recovery of products, responsible production and consumption and even product resurrection at its end of use are some ways we can support the zero waste model.

To demonstrate the power of zero waste, GAIA Asia Pacific held the International Zero Waste Cities Conference (IZWCC) in the Philippines from 26th  – 27th January 2023. The conference was a strategic effort to obtain active engagement from municipalities to phase out waste and showcase cities as primary drivers of sustainable environments. Furthermore, the conference demonstrated innovative zero waste solutions like source separation, organics management, materials recovery, and plastic regulation.

The Asia-Pacific region produced inspirational outputs that created meaningful engagement during the IZWCC. This includes a series of apprising panels, presentations, waste management facility visits and publications. One of these publications was the ‘Vision & Grit’ publication, a compilation of impact stories from 14 women environmental leaders from the Asia-Pacific region. The publication spotlights years of exceptional leadership dedication by Asian women to attain zero waste communities and defend the rights of waste workers.

Another publication showcased during the conference was ‘On The Ground. The publication sheds light on the realities of waste workers, their challenges, and how they are essential stakeholders in the zero waste value chain. A beautiful exhibition was constructed to highlight the publication and the waste workers featured. 

For the visiting Africa team, comprising of Niven Reddy Ana Le Rocha, Careen Mwakitalu and Carissa Marnce, one of the major highlights for the conference was that Africa would be the next host of the IZWCC. This would be the first time the conference happens outside of Asia, and Nipe Fagio in Dar es Salaam would lead the process.

The social and environmental contexts in Asia-Pacific and Africa are very similar. Like the Asia-Pacific region, Africa still struggles with infrastructural barriers, inadequate awareness, geopolitical challenges and socio-economic issues. Remarkably, the IZWCC demonstrated that zero waste practices are possible through collaboration with municipalities, community compliance, and respect for waste workers. The visiting Africa team had a lot of inspiration to take home as preparations are underway to gather government officials, civil society organizations and zero waste practitioners for the next IZWCC. 

The IZWCCC 2023 ended with a role appreciation ceremony that was done in conjunction with Mother Earth Foundation. A total of 200 waste workers from the Philippines were celebrated on the 28th January 2023 at the mayor’s office in Quezon City. Waste workers were awarded for their important contributions and provided with necessary services like sanitary services and medical checkups and good food and company. All in all it was a sucessfull event where participants gained so much knowledge from the information and experiences shared. 

ENDS.

PREAMBLE

1. GAIA Nigeria Members held a 2-day workshop with the theme Civil Society Organizations Engagement with National and International Plastic Policy Processes” on February 13–14, 2023, at the IBIS Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The hybrid (virtual and physical attendance) conference drew national and international stakeholders from the value chain of plastic policy processes.

2. Members of GAIA Nigeria include the Centre for Earth Works (CFEW), Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF), Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Community Action Against Plastic Waste (CAPws), Sustainable Environmental Development Initiative (SEDI), Policy Alert, the Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), and the Lekeh Development Foundation (LDF).

3. The objectives of the workshop were to:

  • Connect the various GAIA Nigeria members in the country;
  • Exchange knowledge on zero waste and incinerator alternatives;
  • Crystallize ideas on the way forward as Nigeria plays a pivotal role in Africa’s waste management practices.

4. Additionally, the workshop had in attendance participants from the Lagos State Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Experts, Trade Associations, and the Media, to deliberate on national and international plastic policy processes.

5. Goodwill messages were delivered by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (LSMoE&WR), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos Recyclers Association, and the Lagos Waste Pickers Association.

6. Technical presentations were made by GAIA Africa, LSMoE & WR, LAWMA, LASEPA, and SRADev Nigeria on various thematic areas such as zero waste, climate justice, incineration alternatives, state and national plastic policies, and the global plastic treaty.

OBSERVATIONS

During the extensive deliberations at the workshop, the following observations were made:

  1. The challenge of plastic waste is an increasing global and national concern, with its attendant public and environmental health implications.
  2. Whereas waste reduction is key to having zero waste, this concept is not yet fully mainstreamed into national and state waste policy processes.
  3. Plastic is mainly carbon and chemical based however, there is a huge knowledge gap in understanding the toxic chemical components in Nigeria. These hazardous substances are easily transferred into the food chain and other environmental media.
  4. During the last Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC), the Nigerian representation was not formidable.
  5. There is a paucity of information and data on the volume and chemical constituent of plastic in the Nigerian market.
  6. There is a plastic waste regulation ongoing; however, the existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is weak and incapable of addressing the current plastic waste management challenges.
  7. The National Association of Scraps and Waste Pickers Association exists at an informal level, they require recognition and integration in the waste management sector.
  8. The Lagos Recyclers Association is a formidable association in the waste management sector. Members of the association are engaged in the value chain of waste management. 
  9. The advent of Pakam software by LAWMA advocates for waste sorting from the source at the household level.
  10. Africa is seeing the increasing emergence of waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration projects. WTE is frequently presented to municipalities as a silver bullet solution to their waste problems. 
  11. Waste generation is intrinsically linked to climate change and there is a lack of urgency from African leaders on sustainable ways to manage plastic and organic waste. Evidence has shown that Green House Gases (GHG) emissions will dramatically increase if plastic production continues as projected and waste is burned.
  12. The involvement of waste pickers in the waste management sector is an effective and inclusive approach to addressing climate change in Africa. 
  13. The informal waste sector is responsible for up to 50% of waste collection and 45% of recycling in low-income countries like Nigeria. The informal waste sector in this case includes waste pickers, collectors, recyclers and aggregators.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • There is an urgent need for a National Plastic Treaty Steering Committee (NSC). This team should act to provide guidance and oversee the process.
  • The meeting resolved that the Federal Government should ban single-use plastic immediately. This should take effect in 2024 as opposed to the current 2028 date as contained in the proposed national policy on plastic waste management, starting with styrofoam, microbeads, carrier bags, plastic spoons, straws, and disposable cups, as they have no economic value (recycling) potential.
  • We urge the federal government to avoid the adoption of Waste to Energy Technologies such as municipal waste Incinerators and chemical recycling facilities; these are false solutions, as they enable the unsustainable consumption of resources, contribute to climate change, release a cocktail of noxious substances that pose hazards to public health, and diverts funds from cheaper, sustainable zero-waste solutions.
  • All national and state plastic policies should incorporate zero waste principles, taking into account an entire lifecycle approach to plastic management and non-recyclable materials.
  • There is a need for a nationwide campaign and the capacity development of policymakers on the toxicity of plastic within the plastic value chain in Nigeria.

RESOLUTIONS

In consideration of the key recommendations from the participants, these resolutions were adopted;

  • There is an urgent call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency on plastic production and its chemical constituent transparency.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we encourage all efforts by the public, private and civil societies to be geared towards a zero-waste economy.

Dated this 14th day of February 2023 in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

ENDS.

The first intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC-1) to end plastic pollution

By Merrisa Naidoo (GAIA/BFFP Africa Plastics Campaigner)

After more than thirty hours of flying and four connecting flights later, I was finally able to join more than 2,335 delegates and over 1,000 representatives from Civil Society, Industry, and IGOs at the first intergovernmental committee meeting (INC-1) for an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Punta del Este, Uruguay from the 28 of November to the 2 of December 2022. The magnitude of participants was a clear representation of the world coming together to craft one of the most significant multilateral environmental agreements in history. 

My purpose was clear, to support and strengthen the voices of our African membership in a way that was meaningful to their direct advocacy efforts within their respective countries and for the African continent as a whole. We did that, within the first 2 days of the INC-1, voices of members from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius, Cameroon, Kenya, the Gambia and Tunisia came together in camaraderie, good spirits and motivated to ensure that their country delegates were well informed and equipped going into the first round of negotiations. Together, we very quickly became a formidable force to be reckoned with, in developing key relationships with our fellow African country representatives and laying our demands on the table which were to; 1)  Raise the Stakes on Ambition, 2) Produce a Clear Target for Future Negotiations, 3) Reserve the Right to Vote, 4) Reduce Plastic Production and 5) Stay Clear of Industry Agendas & False Solutions. It gave us great pride to see the African Group (AG) taking ownership of this process especially since Africa continues to shoulder the burden of toxic and non-recyclable plastic waste exports despite not being net producers of the plastic crisis. Their interventions were strong, reflective of all voices and developed with the realities of the region in mind.

Amidst the high-level interventions, world-cup fever soon set in and what better way than sport to bring nations together and realise their patronage to the well-being of their people and countries. The global plastics treaty should therefore seek to pay heed to the interconnectedness of people within their natural environment and include the protection of livelihoods and communities vulnerable to the present environmental catastrophes, which is in line with the United Nations General Assembly declaration that everyone on the planet earth has a right to a healthy environment. Civil society, waste pickers, fenceline and frontline communities, indigenous and traditional communities, and women are to be at the centre of the negotiations. They should be at the table and not simply on the menu! Unfortunately, giving industries and top polluting companies a seat at the table, whose agenda prioritises profit over people, will prove to stifle the effectiveness of what the treaty can achieve.

In this regard, during the INC-1, it was rather concerning to learn of the pronounced presence of polluting industries; this was especially felt during the convening of a multi-stakeholder forum which was a roundtable discussion organized a day before the start of the negotiations to deliver a report to the INC, despite the fact that it is not included in the mandate to develop the treaty and the entire set-up appeared to be industry-driven and an effort to divert and prevent the voices of civil society and rights holders from direct and more meaningful forms of participation in the treaty development process. 

As we move ahead and prepare for INC-2 in May 2023, our efforts need not be undermined by industry greenwashing and tactics based on false solutions and voluntary commitments. As the GAIA/BFFP Africa team, we will continue to support and uphold the tireless efforts of our members to ensure their voices reach their country’s focal points in a just and equitable way that is meaningful and towards the development of a strong treaty. 

To kick-start this, be sure to look out for the INC-1 member pack and the newly formed Africa Plastics Working Group in 2023, which will aim to create a platform that brings together GAIA and BFFP Africa members with an interest in various aspects of the plastics crisis to 1) Share their experiences & work within their respective countries, 2) Build capacity on plastic policy & legislation on the continent, 3) Strategize on positions & work geared towards the plastics treaty with a regional perspective, 4) Collaborate on joint projects & campaigns of interest and 5) Forster support for one another. 

Let’s End the Age of Plastics!

14 December 2022

Dear Director Mark Kunzer,
Transaction Support Division of Private Sector Operations Department

Thank you for the response letter dated 7 November 2022. However, we found it fails to address the key concerns regarding the approval of this project: 

  1. ADB approved the project against the stated order of priorities stated in the ADB Energy Policy when utilizing waste for energy 

The utilization of waste for energy is at the bottom of priorities in the ADB Energy Policy. Before waste is utilized, ADB must ensure that WTE projects come only in a local context where the waste system follows a management option that prioritizes the most environmentally and socially desirable option to ensure that the least preferred options are not necessary. As stated in the ADB Energy Policy, “first reducing waste generation, then exploiting the options for reusing and recycling materials, then using waste to recover energy or usable materials, followed by sanitary engineered landfilling as the last option.” 

This language ensures that prevention of waste is a priority, that recyclable materials are not burned and that the WTE is the last resort – not part of a combination of waste management of options for the reason that WTE projects are pernicious to the most preferred options for waste prevention and recycling efforts, to community health, to climate and the environment. However, ADB approved the project, without this order in mind and with the framework that WTE is necessary in circularity and waste management efforts. 

In the Environmental and Social Compliance Audit Report (November 2022), the key components of this project are mixed municipal waste processing through 1) WTE incineration facility (8,400 kg/hour or 201.6 tpd); and 2) composting plant (840 tpd). While it is true that composting is part of the facility, the produced compost might be contaminated with various chemicals given the feedstock is not source-separated. However, there are no preventive measures identified to avoid compost application for food crops. The report also states that mixed waste would be separated at the facility through manual picking process. Moreover, it targets only high value recyclables and not all recyclables. There is also no explanation on the fate of non-magnetic metal. Additionally, given the feedstock is not source-separated, there would be dirty recyclable fraction which is difficult to recycle. How would this process ensure that there will be no recyclables incinerated — thereby violating a prudent order of waste management priorities?

  1. WTE incineration project component is approved although the guidance note on WTE has not been made publicly available

Without the guidance notes, there is little indication that the understanding of the waste management context and in the exploration of alternatives was ever aligned with this policy provision. 

GAIA has attended a PowerPoint of the proposed content of the guidance notes where we have expressed our critical points. In that presentation, we have already pointed out that the simulation models do not follow the hierarchy of decision in line with the order of waste management clearly stated by the ADB Energy Policy. Without the draft text, it was difficult to ascertain the alignment of the guidance notes to the Policy.

After that presentation, civil societies were not informed of the consultation process of the draft guidance note on WTE when it was made available. There was no communication on the timeline and feedback mechanism. CSOs have no information as to how the guidance notes can instruct staff on assessing the order of priority in waste management, for example. We demand the guidance notes be made available online as part of ADB’s commitment to openness and transparency. Additionally, we urge the ADB to disclose compliance indicators to the guidance note on the project data sheet. This should also be made available and accessible before the project approval stage. Without it, there is no way for civil society groups and affected communities to monitor and ensure the project complies with the screening standards outlined in the guidance note.

  1. Absence of evidence on the project as low-carbon, climate mitigating, and production of renewable energy 

WTE incineration is not a climate mitigating activity

Composting alone could solve the methane problems without the WTE incineration component. Contrary to project claims, the WTE incineration will be releasing all fossil-carbon embedded in plastic instantaneously. Plastic and other fossil-based material will not release greenhouse gases in landfill. This is contradictory to the claim that the WTE incineration will reduce 2,000 tons of CO2 per annum. According to UNEP, depending on the waste composition, waste incineration emits between 250–600 kg of fossil-CO2 per tonne of incinerated waste, which is comparable to the carbon intensity of emissions from coal combustion, and hence a significant source of GHG emissions. Burning plastic emits 2.7 tonnes of CO2e for every tonne of plastic burned. Even when energy recovered in a waste-to-energy incinerator is accounted for, burning one tonne of plastic in an incinerator still results in 1.43 tonnes of CO2e. 

Additionally, the project states that the WTE incineration will generate electrical power of 4 MW/h net power generation — 1MW/h is used to operate the WTE system itself. Given the project does not disclose the comparison of the incinerator plant’s greenhouse gas intensity to the national average power plants, we would like to know the greenhouse gas intensity of this incinerator plant. As we have raised in our previous letter, WTE incineration is not a low-carbon technology. It is more emission-intensive than the average emission intensity on the grid. This has been observed in both the U.S. and the E.U. where WTE incineration releases more greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy generated than coal-fired and gas-fired power plants.

WTE incineration is not a renewable energy source

The project does not disclose any justification on renewable energy generation. There is no waste composition analysis and mass balance analysis as part of the due diligence process. Without those analyses, there is no clarity on whether the WTE incinerator plant uses only a biogenic fraction of waste or burns fossil-based material, such as plastic — which is not a renewable feedstock per IPCC’s guidance on renewable energy. 

The Environmental and Social Compliance Audit Report suggests that the WTE incinerator plant will use high calorific value feedstock, including fossil-based plastic. Furthermore, it is also reported that the rejects from the composting process —including plastics— are directed to the WTE incineration. Moreover, the most biogenic fractions will be treated through composting and some through recycling (i.e. paper and cardboard). This leaves most rejects as fossil-based material in the incinerator. This is clearly not aligned with the claim made by ADB that this project is generating renewable energy.  

Moreover, we reiterate that the European Parliament has emphasized the need for the EU and Member States to minimise incineration, recognising its risk of causing lock-in effects and hampering the development of a circular economy in the EU. This is further strengthened through the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Report which excludes WTE incineration because it makes a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and harms environmental objectives such as a transition to a Circular Economy, waste prevention and recycling.

  1. Unanswered concerns on safeguards measures of the WTE incineration component of the project

We are very concerned about the dioxins resulting from the waste incineration process, not only from the stack emissions but also in the incinerator ash. It is true that dioxins are formed during de novo synthesis which typically happens during cold start-up/pre-heating, shut-down, and Other Than Normal Operating Conditions (OTNOC) — such as leaks, malfunctions and momentary stoppages and maintenance. For example, in maintenance processes, a flushing process will bypass the flue gas cleaning system (air pollution control units) creating a huge surge of dioxin and dust production. When it occurs, in a few minutes dioxins emissions are released equivalent to the load dioxins from six years of normal operation. Moreover, one cold start-up process could possibly result in dioxins emission loads equivalent to several months of operation. However, the sampling standards used in this project are seriously flawed as they do not cover these conditions and represent a tiny percentage of the total yearly operating time of incinerators — approximately covering only 0.1 % of dioxin stack emission per year. 

Through long-term testing, the youngest incinerator in the Netherlands (Reststoffen Energie Centrale (REC) clearly reveals that the plant emits dioxins, furans, and toxic pollutants far beyond the limits set by EU laws. This finding is further confirmed through a biomonitoring study of incineration emissions in  Spain, Lithuania, and Czech Republic. The study found dioxins, furans, and other Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), such as PCBs, PAHS, and PFAS, in living organisms in the vicinity of those plants. These compounds are extremely toxic at very low levels, bioaccumulates, and are dangerously hard to break down. Therefore, it is highly concerning knowing the fact that the emission standard used in this project does not cover other POPs aside from dioxins.

We are also aware that this project plans to utilise the waste residues from its WTE incineration plants for the production of ceramic bricks and tiles that are sold commercially into the construction industry. This is highly worrying because both incineration fly ash and bottom ash are toxic substances, containing heavy metal and POPs. There is no guarantee that these chemicals will not leach over time to the environment — especially when used as construction material. A recent report shows evidence that incinerator bottom ash is highly hazardous and under-regulated. It highlights that incinerator bottom ash contains significant total concentrations of POPs (i.e. PCDD/Fs, PBDE, PCBs, PFAS) and microplastic. Additionally, incinerator fly ash contains more POPs compared to bottom ash. Allowing incinerator ash utilization as construction material and selling it commercially will do significant harm over time to people and the environment.  

On the Can Tho WTE plant, the issues remain the same regarding the standards used by ADB-funded WTE plants. The standards are far from sufficient for protecting people and the environment.  Additionally, we have no access to the latest Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (ESMS) which shows that the plant is compliant. As this letter is sent, the project page only shows ESMS of the Can Tho WTE plant from January-December 2020.

The Stockholm and Minamata Conventions phases out POPs and mercury, known byproducts of incinerators as evidenced by science and experience which is why embedding it in circular economy and transitionary plans are harming parallel international development goals and legal obligations.

We reiterate our demands to ADB and urge the bank to: 

  1. decisively withdraw the WTE incineration component from the proposed Binh Duong Waste Management and Energy Efficiency Project (56118-001); 
  2. publicly disclose the guidance note on WTE online; and 
  3. include compliance with the guidance note as a mandatory provision on the project data sheet if/when new WTE projects are proposed — allowing civil society groups and local communities to follow up accordingly.

Lastly, the ADB Energy Policy points out to support member-countries not only in a transitionary plan but also committed to a just transition that avoids social and environmental harm. WTE incineration projects are an unnecessary, highly risky, and resource-intensive project that does not fit in the context of the multiple crises happening now, especially in the light of climate crises. Member countries need support to transition away from the highly carbon-intensive processes. ADB should avoid using its limited resources for environmentally, economically and socially destructive projects.   

We look forward to your judicious actions. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and NGO Forum on ADB

Cc:

  • Masatsugu Asakawa, President
  • Ashok Lavasa, Vice-President, Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships
  • Suzanne Gaboury, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department
  • Woochong Um, Managing Director General
  • Christopher Thieme, Deputy Director General, Private Sector Operations Department
  • Won Myong Hong, Project Officer, Private Sector Operations Department
  • Priyantha Wijayatunga, Chief of Energy Sector Group, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department
  • Haidy Ear-Dupuy, Unit Head, NGO and Civil Society Center, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department
  • Bruce Dunn, Director, Safeguards Division
  • Members of the ADB Board of Directors

Read Asian Development Bank’s letter to GAIA here.

Bilateral and multilateral agreements between countries on environmental issues dating back to the 1800s. Previously, they focused primarily on the protection of fisheries and the conservation of flora and fauna. 

However, these agreements also needed to evolve with the evolution of technology, population growth, and the interconnectedness of people within their natural environment.  These agreements needed to include the protection of individual lives and communities vulnerable to the present environmental catastrophes.

On the 28th of July 2022, the United Nations General Assembly declared that everyone on the planet has a right to a healthy environment. This landmark decision is the result of decades of mobilization of various players.

This Human Rights Day, we recount some of the tragic events that befell activists that fought a perilous fight for their environment and communities.

Ken Saro Wiwa

Nigerian environment and political activist Ken Saro Wiwa’s story is still a torch of light for environmental justice. As a martyr of his people, ‘the Ogoni’ of the Niger Delta, Ken Saro Wiwa fought against the oppressive regime of General Sani Obacha to protect his land that was exposed to petroleum waste dumping because it is an area picked out for crude oil extraction since the 1950s.

One of the critical highlights of Ken Saro Wiwa’s work was the non-violence strategy and what it achieved. He employed a non-violent campaign against environmental degradation of the land and waters of Ogoniland, putting to play the media as an integral partner for change. He was executed along with his fellow activists in 1995. 

Today the fight still continues in the Niger Delta. Watch this 2008 documentary titled ‘Poison Fire’, which follows a team of local activists as they gather video testimonies from communities on the impacts of oil spills and gas flaring. Produced with the support of local member Environmental Action Network/FOEN. 

Link: https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/poison-fire/ 

You can also check out Break Free From Plastic’s toxic tour in Odimodi, Nigeria: https://toxictours.org/nigeria-odimodi/ 

Fikile Ntshangasa 

Fikile Ntshangase, 65, was involved in a legal dispute over the extension of an opencast mine operated by Tendele Coal near Somkhele, close to Hluhluwe–Imfolozi park, the oldest nature reserve in Africa. In 2020, she was gunned down by four men, in her home, in front of her 13-year-old nephew, and her killers still have not been arrested. She was killed while opposing the expansion of the Somkhele coal mine, owned by Petmin (Pty) Ltd, and probably because of her steadfast opposition to this expansion.

Read groundWork in South Africa’s special report on Fikile Ntshangase: https://old.groundwork.org.za/specialreports/Warnings_not_heeded-death_of_an_activist.pdf 

You can also check out this latest update from South African activists calling on the United Nations Human Rights Council to protect human rights defenders: https://groundwork.org.za/fikile-ntshangase-justice-delayed-yet-more-denials/ 

Joanna Stutchbury

Joanna Stutchbury was a land and environmental rights defender (LED) who worked tirelessly to defend the Kiambu forest and protect and conserve Kenya’s natural resources. For many years she had spoken out against land-grabbers and well-known private developers who had excised part of the Kiambu Forest. Because of this work to protect the forest from encroachment, she received multiple death threats. She was fatally shot as she returned to her home on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya 2021.

Read more about Joanna in this statement from Frontline Defenders: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement-report/statement-killing-land-and-environment-defender-joanna-stutchbury 

The society we live in today places more emphasis on the profits of multinational corporations rather than respecting the livelihoods of local communities safeguarding their indigenous land and access to their natural resources. The continued threats to environmental defenders is a further indication of the power this capitalist system takes away from local people.  We must prioritise the health and well-being of our local people above everything else. If we live in a way that respects the environment, we live in a way where people will not be exploited.

Across the African continent, our activists are being imprisoned or receiving death threats for speaking out against injustice. We demand that environmental defenders in Africa and across the world be protected for protecting what’s theirs. 

We demand that we protect those, protecting the environment. 

Ends. 

Waste is Third Largest Source of Anthropogenic Methane Emissions Globally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11 November 2022, 12 pm EET

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt –The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) held a press conference along with Friends of the Earth Nigeria at COP27 to provide civil society’s perspective on Egypt’s impending announcement of its Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050. The initiative sets the ambition to recycle and  treat at least 50% of waste produced in Africa by 2050. 

In this press conference, civil society and diverse experts including climate justice groups, waste picker organizers and government leaders from across the African continent emphasized the potential of waste reduction and management for climate adaptation and mitigation.

“The 50 by 2050 initiative provides us with an opportunity to scale zero waste systems for climate action in Africa and around the globe. However this initiative can only be effective if it includes organic waste management, inclusion and recognition of waste pickers, and phase out of residual waste and fundamentally moving away from incineration and other climate-polluting waste management practices that aren’t meant for Africa,” said Niven Reddy, Regional Coordinator for GAIA Africa.

Waste will be critical on the COP27 agenda as countries discuss ways to reach the Global Methane Pledge, which recognises that reducing methane, a short-lived greenhouse gas over 80 times as potent as CO2, is critical to achieving the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C.  Waste is the third largest anthropogenic source of methane, primarily from landfilling organic waste. 122 countries have committed to tackling this greenhouse gas globally.

The Global Methane Pledge and the Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050 both signal how countries are recognizing the potential of ‘zero waste’ to help meet climate targets affordably and effectively. Introducing better waste management policies such as waste separation, recycling, and composting could cut total emissions from the waste sector by more than 1.4 billion tonnes, equivalent to the annual emissions of 300 million cars – or taking all motor vehicles in the U.S. off the road for a year.   

The climate crisis has exacerbated impacts in Africa, making the need for adaptation measures more acute. Loss and damage financing and climate investments for zero waste systems in Africa can both boost climate resilience, redress historical inequities, and support local economies.

African communities are spearheading zero waste projects for adaptation, recognising the current realities they are faced with. One such strategy, composting, reduces pollution, prevents disease vectors like mosquitos and vermin, and boosts soil resilience, which helps combat flooding and droughts that threaten food security. 

Bubacar Jallow, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources in The Gambia, explained: “What some may call waste is actually an incredible resource for the climate and public health. Composting food waste creates an effective fertilizer that can support greater food security in The Gambia in the face of a changing climate.”

If this initiative prioritizes the rights of waste pickers, it could also have a tremendous impact on the thousands of people working in the informal sector in the region. Waste pickers in Africa play a key role towards mitigating climate change by collecting and selling waste as a livelihood strategy, which increases recycling and reduces raw material extraction. 

Wastepicker Rizk Yosif Hanna stated: “In Egypt, the Zabaleen community recycles more than 50% of the waste they collect, and therefore must be taken into consideration. Any step in Egypt and in Africa as a whole should be built on the accumulated knowledge that exists in the informal sector, and integrate waste pickers into the decision-making and implementation.”

However, all efforts to manage waste will be fruitless unless there is a strong focus on source reduction, particularly for plastic, which is made from fossil fuels. If plastic’s life cycle were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. 

Ubrei-Joe Ubrei-Joe Maimoni Mariere, Regional Coordinator of Friends of the Earth Africa said: “Recycling alone is not enough to address the global waste crisis. For recycling to be effective, African countries need to  start attacking sources of raw material extraction, stopping single-use plastic and reducing waste at the source.”

Notes: 

For a full list of events and spokespeople available for interview, please see our press kit: https://tinyurl.com/GAIACOP27presskit. 

We have recently launched a new report titled ‘Zero Waste to Zero Emissions’.  The report provides the clearest and most comprehensive evidence to date of how zero waste is critical to the climate fight, while building resilience, creating jobs, and promoting thriving local economies. You can read more about it here: https://www.no-burn.org/zerowaste-zero-emissions/ 

—

Press contacts:

Claire Arkin, Global Communications Lead 

claire@no-burn.org | +1 973 444 4869

Africa: 

Carissa Marnce, Africa Communications Coordinator

carissa@no-burn.org | +27 76 934 6156

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GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries. With our work we aim to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. We envision a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. 

Weyinmi Okotie in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

By Careen Joel Mwakitalu

It is often a devastating loss when an active voice of change is silenced. To the communities, it means a weakened drive to change. To their respective families, it means a total reshaping of the dependants’ lives. However, to a generation, it marks a remembrance of the possibility that change is achievable and your single voice matters!

This 10th November 2022, we remember a critical voice silenced 27 years ago at Port-Harcourt. Today, on the celebration of his life, renowned Nigerian environment and political activist Ken Saro Wiwa’s story is still a torch of light for environmental justice. As a martyr of his people, ‘the Ogoni’ of the Niger Delta, Ken Saro Wiwa fought against the oppressive regime of General Sani Obacha to protect his land that was exposed to petroleum waste dumping because it is an area picked out for crude oil extraction since the 1950s.

One of the critical highlights of Ken Saro Wiwa’s work was the non-violence strategy and what it achieved. He employed a non-violent campaign against environmental degradation of the land and waters of Ogoniland, putting to play the media as an integral partner for change. The above may speak volumes to climate and environmental activists today with the diverse world of technology tools at their disposal and the unlimited capacity to communicate empowered by innovation. If he did, we could!

The current times, however, can draw more than one lesson from Ken Saro Wiwa as an activist. With modern-day activism growing more complex due to the intersectionality of issues, it is only fitting to highlight the unwavering commitment to ‘Saro Wiwa’s’ strategy of using his voice to advise the government and influence policy change. 

Foregrounding a very timely example is the extensive negative impact on the environment and livelihoods of people the Royal Dutch Company ‘SHELL’ has succeeded in destroying. Since its operation started in 1937, Shell has existed at the expense of communities and lands in the Niger delta through onshore, shallow and deep water oil exploration and production.

Relevant to modern-day activism, present activists can not only rally campaigns on virtual and physical platforms but also climb the political ladder and influence change through systems in place. The reason for the prior narrative being social, economic and political systems are very much interlinked, and decision-making for the benefit of the ordinary person can be jeopardized.

Resilience and sacrifice echo the loudest in the inspiring story of Ken Saro Wiwa. Today does not only translate to a remembrance of the fallen general Ken Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni nine but also many other vital voices of change from Africa that were silenced in lieu of justice and social development of the African people. This piece is a note of celebration carting other voices of fallen African environmentalists like Fikile Ntshangase of South Africa with the list going on.

Waste a Key Focus at COP27 as UNEP Unveils Adaptation Report and Pipeline Accelerator Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03 November 2022, 10 am GMT 

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt –The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) will be holding a press conference along with Friends of the Earth Nigeria at COP27 to provide civil society’s perspective on Egypt’s impending announcement of its Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050. The initiative sets the ambition to treat at least 50% of waste produced in Africa by 2050 and will address mitigation, adaptation, and implementation. 

In this press conference, civil society and diverse experts including youth climate activists, climate justice groups, and government leaders from across the African continent will reflect on how waste reduction and management is a key driver of adaptation and mitigation and should be included in international climate financing. 

What: Waste Critical to Reaching 1.5 Degree Target: Civil Society Responds to Africa Waste 50 Initiative 

Where: COP27 Blue Zone, Luxor

When: November 11, 12:00—12:30pm EET

Speakers: 

  • Bubacar Jallow (The Gambia) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources
  • Rizk Yosif Hanna (Egypt), Zabaleen Waste Picker Group
  • Abdallah Emad (Egypt) Convener for the Local Conference of Youth, Egypt
  • Ubrei-Joe Maimoni (Nigeria) Regional Coordinator, Friends of the Earth Africa
  • Niven Reddy (South Africa)  Regional Coordinator, GAIA Africa

The Waste Sector Will Be a Key Topic at COP27 for Mitigation, Adaptation, and Climate Finance

Waste will be critical on the COP27 agenda as countries discuss ways to reach the Global Methane Pledge, which recognises that reducing methane, a short-lived greenhouse gas over 80 times as potent as CO2, is critical to achieving the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C.  Waste is the third largest source of methane, primarily from landfilling organic waste. 122 countries have committed to tackling this greenhouse gas globally.

The Global Methane Pledge and the Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050 both signal how countries are recognizing the potential of ‘zero waste’ to help meet climate targets affordably and effectively. Introducing better waste management policies such as waste separation, recycling, and composting could cut total emissions from the waste sector by more than 1.4 billion tonnes, equivalent to the annual emissions of 300 million cars – or taking all motor vehicles in the U.S. off the road for a year.   

African communities are spearheading zero waste projects for adaptation, recognising the current realities they are faced with. One such strategy, composting, reduces pollution, prevents disease vectors like mosquitos and vermin, and boosts soil resilience, which helps combat flooding and droughts that threaten food security. 

Zero waste strategies are already showing massive potential in Africa. For example the organisation Nipe Fagio, in Tanzania, is implementing a decentralised framework for separate collection, recycling, and composting, engaging 32,000 people in Dar es Salaam and achieving 95% compliance, reducing 75% of waste in the area in just two years. Studies show that scaling these projects in the capital of Dar es Salaam would lead to a 65% reduction in sector GHG emissions, while creating 18,000 new jobs. 

The climate crisis has exacerbated impacts in Africa, making the need for adaptation measures more acute. Loss and damage financing and climate investments for zero waste systems in Africa can both boost climate resilience, redress historical inequities, and support local economies.

GAIA will have an international delegation of members, particularly from the Global South including several African countries, available for interview.

For a full list of events and spokespeople available for interview, please see our press kit. 

Notes: 

We have recently launched a new report titled ‘Zero Waste to Zero Emissions’.  The report provides the clearest and most comprehensive evidence to date of how zero waste is critical to the climate fight, while building resilience, creating jobs, and promoting thriving local economies. You can read more about it here: https://www.no-burn.org/zerowaste-zero-emissions/ 

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Press contacts:

Claire Arkin, Global Communications Lead 

claire@no-burn.org | +1 973 444 4869

Africa: 

Carissa Marnce, Africa Communications Coordinator

carissa@no-burn.org | +27 76 934 6156

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GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries. With our work we aim to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. We envision a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. 

Local Business Demonstrate Packing-free Practices in Dar es Salaam

GAIA member Nipe Fagio interviewed local shopkeeper Stonida P. Mwasemele, from Ubungo Msewe in Dar es Salaam.

How long has your place of business been open?

I’ve been part of this business for 16 years after I inherited this shop from my mother, who started the business here in the early 1990s.

What goods do you sell at this shop?

At my shop, we sell goods from local farms, such as flour, maize, rice, beans, coconuts, and many other food products. We also sell other goods like soap, jelly, toothpaste, soft drink etc.

Do you follow zero waste principles in your business?

My mother practised zero waste; it was their way of life a long time ago. However, due to the nature of the recent market, customers and different types of products, it makes it challenging to practise zero waste for all products that we sell to customers.

Do you think people who are your regulars, come because your product is not in plastic packaging?

Yes, most customers prefer to buy from us because of the type of packaging offered. We use cardboard packaging at a reasonable price, but some come with their own carrying bags.

What are some good lessons you have learned when running your business?

  • The best business practices are environmentally friendly;
  • We can be environmental activists by maintaining African zero waste practices in Tanzania.  

What are some of the challenges you face in your line of work?

  • Low capital & customer;
  • Market competition from other packaging materials of the same goods;
  • Some products are not sustainable for zero waste practices in Tanzania;
  • The lack of Government intervention to reduce environmental pollution.

Why should customers support businesses like yours that have been operating for years?

It is friendly to the environment and reflects African Culture.

What do you hope for future business owners in this field?

Economic recovery for zero waste practices in Africa. This will bring hope to environmentalists documenting African practices on zero waste in the business model.

What principles should they keep in mind?

  • Ensuring zero waste systems are achieved at a high level in all parts of Tanzania.
  • Government intervention towards zero waste policy in Tanzania.
  • Managing zero waste practice at the low level of the life cycle, such as at the household level to the national level. 

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