Professionalizing Waste Management: Rwanda Waste Solutions Association Leading the Path Towards a Cleaner and Greener Future!
GIZ Rwanda supported the creation and launch of the Waste Solutions Association in Rwanda. During the launch, The Association leadership was elected, presented their action plan for comments and members registered and more called to join the newly launched association.
The Rwanda Waste Solutions Association, a groundbreaking organization, has vowed to revolutionize the country’s approach to waste disposal. The association says it will utilize innovative strategies and sustainable practices, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future for Rwanda.
Mr. Leon Nduwayezu, CEO, Agroplast Limited, the elected President of the Association says that the association will help members to raise a voice for advocacy of existing problems and to improve their working manners.
Nduwayezu made the comment on Friday, September 30th, 2023, after being elected as President of the Association during the inaugural general assembly of waste collection associations. The assembly was convened with the support of GIZ Rwanda.
The Waste Solution Association (WSA) emerged as an initiative spearheaded by dedicated waste operators engaged in all value chains of waste management in Rwanda.
The mission of the waste solutions association is rooted in a shared commitment to address Rwanda’s pressing waste management challenges, and embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and coordinated efforts among waste management operators.
“The association established today will enable us to play a significant role in legal formulation by providing information on our activities and how they can be improved to achieve an outstanding level,” Nduwayezu says.
He said that the establishment of the laws used to be done at the institutional level for their own interests. However, he adds, the association will set up the measures to avoid such issues with one voice for general outcomes.
Steven Karake, Director of Research Improvement Cluster at Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), states that the association of wastes management companies will ease information gathering than getting to the individual.
“It is a good move as we manage to work jointly and we reach them directly in the association, we will be able to know the problems they face without difficulties as they are together.” He added.
Boosting waste management strategy
Karake says that players in the sector face problems including legal challenges. He notes that as they link up efforts and raise a voice to advocate for the legal issues including the ban of their businesses and associated financial fines.
“Currently we are gathering together all the problems and handover them to concerned organs so that we conduct evidence-based advocacy for strong action.” Karake says.
Other objectives of the association include safeguarding public health and environment, pioneering a circular economy, advocacy and awareness and job creation according to NDUWAYEZU.
“We do recognize the pressing need to create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. Our objective is to actively promote and support job creation within the waste management sector, fostering economic growth and social development.
Leon NDUWAYEZU, CEO of Agroplast Limited was elected the President of Waste Solution Association (WSA) addressing participants to the general assembly. /Photos by Emmanuel HAKIZIMANA.
In a recent Interview with TOP AFRICA NEWS, Mr. Nduwayezu, the now elected President of the Association observed that ” When examining the overall picture and considering environmental protection policies on a global scale, it becomes evident that these laws do not allow space for innovation, particularly in the plastic recycling industry.”
He gave the example where “the environmental protection law prevents the operators from working with items that are prohibited for use in a particular country.
“Specifically, laws do not support the production of plastic items. So what products will come from recycled plastics? Naturally, plastics are used to create more plastics, not metals. This becomes an obstacle to exporting when another country accepts those items. While there are other obstacles, we are determined to bring this issue to the authorities in order to find a solution.” He explained.
Read the Interview Here: Paving the Way for a Greener Future: Mr. Leon Nduwayezu Challenges the Recycling Regulations.
