From Allafrica · · 1m 40s
Africans Reuse Waste for Circular Economy
African communities already repair, recycle and resell waste, scaling circular economy basics needs policy support.
In brief
African communities already repair, recycle and resell waste, scaling circular economy basics needs policy support. African countries can expand existing repair and recycling practices with finance and policies to build circular economies. Originally reported by Allafrica.
African cities reuse waste
In many African cities, broken fridges are repaired or resold, not thrown away immediately.
Old clothes transformed
Leftover crop stalks and leaves become animal feed, compost, cooking fuel or biogas.
Circular economy basics
Circular economy keeps products in use longer than traditional linear systems that discard after use.
34 countries ban plastic bags
Thirty-four African countries have banned plastic bags to some degree.
Rwanda and others recycle e-waste
Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco have set up e-waste recycling facilities.
Kenya's product rules
Kenya has rules making manufacturers responsible for collecting and recycling products after use.
Somalia and Sudan still linear
Somalia, Sudan and Congo still depend on systems where products are made, used and discarded.
Circular economy is already working
Repairers, reclaimers and farmers across Africa already repair, reuse, resell and convert waste into resources.
Policy support needed
Policymakers need finance, infrastructure, skills and supportive policies to scale existing circular practices.
Waste collection challenges
Waste collection remains inadequate in many African cities with few recycling facilities.
African Union plan
The African Union's Continental Circular Economy Action Plan offers ideas for improving waste collection and sorting.
Support informal workers
Informal workers need training, safer conditions, facilities and fair compensation to thrive in circular economies.
The short version
African countries can expand existing repair and recycling practices with finance and policies to build circular economies.
