As the city of Accra grows, so does its waste management challenge. With increasing urbanization comes an equally significant rise in waste production, particularly organic waste, which makes up a substantial portion of the city’s refuse. In this article we will explore the topic of waste management in Ghana and how Accra is turning waste into resources, as well as tips on how you can start incorporating composting practices into your daily life in Accra.
Waste Management Challenges In Ghana: Community-Led Solutions
Accra faces significant waste management challenges, with an estimated 2,800 metric tons of solid waste generated daily. Food waste in Ghana is also a significant problem, with approximately 3.2 million tons of food either lost or wasted along the supply chain.
According to the International Growth Centre, only 70% of this waste is collected, leaving a substantial amount unmanaged. The composition of this waste is predominantly organic (53.91%), followed by plastics (16.15%) and paper (8.75%). This highlights the potential for effective organic waste management strategies.
In response to these challenges, community-led composting hubs have emerged as innovative solutions. These hubs are localized centers where residents collectively compost their organic waste, transforming what was once considered trash into valuable resources. Unlike individual home composting, community hubs operate on a larger scale, enabling entire neighborhoods to participate.
These hubs serve as central gathering points for organic materials, which are then processed into nutrient-rich compost. This approach offers a sustainable method to reduce waste volume, create valuable resources, and foster community involvement in environmental management.
Composting Initiatives in Accra
Some Nice Plastic
Some Nice Plastic is a company that transforms plastic waste into 3D-printed objects, giving discarded materials a second life through innovative design and sustainability. They’re part of the global Real Precious Plastic Movement, a project that provides open-source designs and instructions for building affordable, small-scale plastic recycling machines.
Zaacoal
Zaacoal produce charcoal briquettes from coconut waste and other solid waste to reduce cutting down tress, save the environment and save lives.
Sesa Recycling
Sesa Recycling is a waste management company based in Accra, Ghana, offering innovative recycling services for businesses, corporations, and households. They develop recycling programs for plastics, aluminum, paper, and cardboard, processing these materials into flakes and bales.
Their mission is to alleviate poverty through plastic recovery and enhance the circular economy.
Sesa Recycling incentivizes individuals to recycle by converting collected waste into redeemable points for products or services, encouraging positive behavioral change and reducing waste pollution.
No matter where you live, there are always ways to reduce plastic use, but if you live in Ghana, here are some tips to reduce plastic consumption.
Chance For Children
Chance for Children (CFC) is a Ghana based NGO that aims to give street-connected children and their families a chance for a better future.
We have included them onto this list because one of the things they do is produce paper that is made from recycled paper (which they collect from waste paper that bigger companies do not need) and they mix it with pineapple crows. A hand-made process that is done by some of the street children they host, which at the same time produces beautiful handmade paper!
Eco Care Ghana
Eco-Care Ghana, is a rights-based advocacy organization focused on promoting sustainable natural resource management, community rights, and climate resilience. They work through campaigns, community engagement, and policy advocacy, aiming to ensure fair benefits for resource owners.
Their initiatives often involve reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and empowering local communities with alternative livelihoods. EcoCare also partners with stakeholders on projects like the EU-funded LEAN initiative, which focuses on biodiversity conservation and reducing emissions from land-use changes in Ghana’s transition zones.
Meet Me There Eco Lodge
One of the most innovative features at Meet Me There Eco Lodge is its use of compost toilets.
Instead of using water to dispose of waste, they rely on organic matter, such as sawdust, to compost human waste. Moreover, the resulting compost is used to fertilize the lodge’s gardens, supporting the growth of local plants and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Incorporating Composting Practices into your daily life
There are several ways that you can embrace composting in Ghana, whether on a personal or community level. Here are some practical steps to get started:
- Start Home Composting: You can start composting at home by creating a compost bin or pile. This involves collecting kitchen waste such as vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste like grass clippings and leaves. It is important to balance green materials (nitrogen-rich waste) with brown materials (carbon-rich waste) to ensure proper decomposition.
- Collaborate with Local Farmers: In rural areas of Ghana, many farmers already practice composting to enhance soil fertility. If you have an interest in agriculture, you can collaborate with local farmers to create larger-scale composting initiatives, providing valuable resources for community agriculture while improving waste management practices.
- Advocate for Local Waste Management Solutions: You can work alongside local communities to raise awareness about the benefits of composting. This could include hosting workshops, providing composting materials, and teaching practical composting techniques. Partnering with local organizations, municipalities, or schools can help expand the reach of composting initiatives and empower communities to embrace more sustainable waste practices.
- Support Eco-Friendly Businesses: You can make a difference by supporting businesses in Ghana that prioritize sustainability and use composting as part of their operations. By frequenting eco-lodges, organic farms, or businesses focused on reducing waste, you can contribute to the growing demand for sustainable practices.
