Waste management in line with contemporary
realities seems to be of huge concern to environmentalists as well as
stakeholders especially in developing countries. This thought was loudly
expressed by participants on the second day of the First Let’s Do It African
Conference in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
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| L-R, Muna, Julian |
Speaking on the “Causes and
solutions of problems in waste and sanitation” Muna Lakhani, representing the
Institute for Zero Waste in Africa, noted that in solving the problem of waste
management, the world would need to change its thinking.
He exposed that “80% of the world’s
waste is produced by North America, Western Europe, Japan and South Korea who
only account for 25% of the world’s population, hence, the rich countries are responsible
for generating the world’s waste”.
Muna explained that with
frequent exposure to plastic materials, human beings are at risk of intelligence,
learning, and behaviourial disorder, delayed development of the foetus and
children, spontaneous abortion, uncontrollable body size and shape, increase in
prostate size which could lead to prostate cancer, reduction in sperm count,
amongst others. This he said, is due to the chemicals utilized
in the production of plastics, which are hazardous to human health.
He advocated the Zero Waste
Agenda for Africa, noting that Zero Waste is an ethical, economical, efficient
and visionary goal that guides people to emulate sustainable natural cycles in
which all discarded materials become resources for others. He also identified
two factors critical for a good zero waste system viz: A good policy that is
implemented and enforced and a regulated minimum price for recyclable material.
On a final note, Muna noted that
if Africa and the World at large can make efforts in stopping the production of
waste instead of seeking ways to manage and clean up the generated waste, then
the world will be more sustainable.
Muna’s three hours section was concluded loads with interesting and intelligent questions on waste management and
recycling programmes…
BIENVENU!
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