EVALUATING WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION AND MITIGATION IN AFRICA

Abstract

Africa faces increasing challenges in waste management, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change. This study evaluates waste management practices in Africa, highlighting factors, barriers, and enablers within the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Africa’s population is projected to reach 1.5 billion in 2024, intensifying pressure on its unevenly distributed natural resources. The continent faces interconnected issues, including biodiversity loss, water scarcity, energy shortages, and inadequate waste management. While 70-80% of Africa’s waste is recyclable, only 4% is recovered, highlighting inefficiencies in resource recovery and recycling efforts. Waste management in Africa suffers from weak policies, inadequate infrastructure, limited stakeholder engagement, and underfunding. Linear waste management systems dominate, failing to embrace circular economy principles. Poorly managed landfills contribute to methane emissions, impacting climate change, while plastic pollution threatens Africa’s aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Emerging waste streams, such as electronic and medical waste, further complicate efforts. This study aims to evaluate waste management practices in Africa, focusing on barriers, enablers, and opportunities for integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Data was collected through journal article reviews, document analysis, and online resources. Key insights were synthesized to identify trends and challenges in waste management practices. Africa’s rapid urbanization and dynamic consumption patterns strain waste management systems. Weak policy frameworks, financial constraints, and inadequate investments hinder effective waste management. Climate change-induced extreme weather events complicate waste storage, collection, and treatment. Public awareness and community engagement remain insufficient, further undermining sustainable practices. To mitigate climate change impacts and enhance sustainable waste management in Africa, it is imperative to strengthen policy frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, invest in modern infrastructure and technologies, and promote circular economy principles to boost recycling and resource recovery. Additionally, fostering public awareness and stakeholder engagement is critical, alongside developing tailored strategies to address emerging waste streams such as electronic and medical waste. These integrated actions are essential for building resilient waste management systems that align with climate change adaptation and mitigation goals.