Africa is experiencing an increasing waste management challenge. While the volume of garbage generated in Africa is tiny in comparison to developed nations, waste mismanagement in Africa is already affecting human and environmental health. However, as its population grows, cities urbanize, and consumer spending habits change, Africa is likely to undergo a tremendous social and economic transition during the next century. This is predicted to result in exponential growth in trash generation, putting significant demand on already overburdened public and private sector waste services and infrastructure, and exacerbating the current waste management situation.
According to available data, Africa generated 125 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year in 2012, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 81 million tonnes (65%) By 2025, this is predicted to increase to 244 million tonnes per year. With an average trash collection rate of only 55% (68 million tonnes) about half of all MSW generated in Africa is thrown on sidewalks, open fields, stormwater drains, and waterways. The average MSW collection rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is 44%, while coverage varies greatly between cities, ranging from less than 20% to well above 90%.
Food loss Insights in Africa
Food insecurity is a serious problem in Africa. When estimated based on physical quantities and caloric value, the African continent loses 15.9% and 17.2% of the food produced, respectively. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, reflects global focus on food loss and waste (FLW) reduction. SDG 12.3 aims to “halve per capita global food waste at retail and consumption levels, as well as reduce food loss along production and supply chains (including postharvest losses) by 2030.” To meet SDG target 12.3 by 2030, the pace of action must be accelerated.
According to The State of Food and Agriculture, “food loss and waste reduction should be considered not just as a goal in and of itself, but also as a means toward accomplishing other objectives.” Food loss reduction must therefore support increased crop output in order to sustainably feed growing populations. This is especially relevant in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the population is expected to more than quadruple by 2050.
A World Bank study estimated that improved postharvest management to reduce food loss has the potential to avoid food losses equivalent to the food and nutrition requirements of 48 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa based on food loss estimates documented by the African Postharvest Losses Information System (APHLIS).
The impact of improper waste management in Africa
Current waste management strategies in Africa have economic, social, and environmental consequences. The cost of inaction is high. Changing consumer behavior has led to increased plastic usage in Africa, which, when paired with inadequate MSW collection systems, puts the continent at risk of rising marine plastic litter. In metropolitan places, indiscriminate trash disposal is frequent, increasing the danger of disease, flooding, and environmental degradation. The disposal of organic waste produces greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change, as well as leachate, which can harm ground and surface water.
Africa has become a dump for end-of-life items, such as electronic garbage, which commonly comes from rich countries. Typically, recycling and treatment infrastructure is insufficient to safely handle these waste streams, resulting in direct consequences to human health and the environment.
Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050
Waste management is an important aspect of sustainability topics. Less than 10% of the waste produced in Africa is treated or recycled, and this number might exceed 1 billion tonnes of solid waste by 2050, owing to growing demography and rising purchasing power. The current scenario is the result of a lack of national frameworks and inadequate investment in developing the necessary waste management infrastructure, which is up to 40 times lower than in industrialized nations.
The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt will announce a global waste management project during this year’s CoP27 Presidency. The effort aims to handle and recycle at least 50% of garbage generated in Africa by 2050. By meeting this goal, Africa will help to boost the worldwide waste treatment rate by 10% while also reducing the overall effects of waste pollution on human health, biodiversity, food systems, and resource shortages.
To accomplish this goal, Initiative 50 by 2050 intends to catalyze increased investment and effort to develop waste management ecosystems and resources, as well as rapidly address the underlying challenges by increasing treatment and recycling capacities, establishing the necessary level of policymaking, and increasing global contribution and involvement.
IntelliDigest’s contribution to addressing food waste
IDIGEST: As the globe evolves, many steps have been taken toward sustainability, which necessitates simple and practical waste-reduction solutions. Based on innovative research and superior environmental engineering, IntelliDigest has developed “IDIGEST,” an onsite food processor with built-in functionality that covers a variety of food waste needs https://intellidigest.com/products/idigest/. The Idigest turns food waste into a nutrient that can be used in the creation of sustainable food.
WORLD FOOD TRACKER: IntelliDigest World Food Tracker https://intellidigest.com/services/food-waste-tracker/ is a complete application that helps individuals, households, and businesses build a more sustainable relationship with food by providing practical information about the influence of food on health and the environment.
ISAVER: Isaver https://intellidigest.com/products/isaver/ is a creative and one-of-a-kind edible food waste solution that helps improve food delivery in a convenient, safe, and hygienic manner. Isaver is intended for use in residential, industrial, and commercial environments.
PLAN TO SAVE CAMPAIGN: We are addressing food loss through the Plan to Save Campaign https://intellidigest.com/services/plan-to-save/ by encouraging the consumers to plan their meal so that the information can be provided to farmers to help with farm planning to match demand and supply as well increase local food production through farm automation and use of satellite data to improve farm operations and efficiency.