Ghana generates approximately 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste per year and approximately 5% of the waste is collected for recycling. 

Research reveals about 82% of Ghana’s plastic wastes could be readily recovered and recycled with existing technologies into value-added products locally and within West Africa. 

The Nhyiaeso sub-metro District is embarking on a community waste recycling project to help reduce plastic waste made within the vicinity. 

The project, spearheaded by Recycle Up Ghana, and sponsored by DOW would ensure indigenes of the District segregate and collect waste made in their homes. 

Executive Director of Recycle Up Ghana, Abdul Raheem Shaibu Issah, explained the project is the pilot initiative to many others in alleviating flooding cases in Kumasi. 

“We’ve identified a lot of flooding cases that are caused by choked gutters due to indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste. 

“We conducted a baseline survey to assess plastic wastes made in communities. And, we identified Nhyiaeso as one of the many plastic waste hubs in Kumasi. 

“So based on this, we’re setting up this first pilot community waste recycling project to help reduce plastic waste,” he said. 

He also indicated “the project is introducing an incentivized way of collecting and recycling plastic waste in the community, where people can exchange their plastic waste for money”

The Community Waste Recycling project focuses on creating awareness and educating communities on environmental sanitation. 

It aims at contributing to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, 12 and 13. 

Chairman of Nhyiaeso sub-metro District Council of Kumasi Municipal Assemply (KMA), Samuel Amankwah, lauded the project and advised the project leaders to ensure its continuity. 

“It’s a welcoming news if only they can deliver. Because, there’ve been quite a number of NGOs who embarked on similar projects in the District but failed. 

“So, if we have a project like this in the community to be able to accommodate this plastic waste challenge, then I think it’s a laudable idea. 

“I’m hoping they help fight this issue of plastic wastes in the district,” he said.