Representatives from waste collecting companies and landfill managers have today committed to collaborate to improve waste management – sorting, segregation, collection and management – from households to landfills.

They made this commitment after a six-day training workshop conducted by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and its stakeholders, to raise awareness on negative effects of improper waste management. The training also aimed to build capacity for waste collecting companies and landfill managers, and improve the policy and regulatory environment for circular economy initiatives in the waste sector.

The training – which was conducted in line with the implementation of Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions – looked at waste sorting, segregation and categorization of wastes to ensure sustainable waste management and prevent environmental pollution and degradation.

“We are now fully committed in exploring innovative solutions needed to utilize the circular economy approach towards waste management, sort waste materials for recycling, and also have a sustainable sanitary landfill” participants committed themselves at the closure of the training.

Cleaning companies have made strides in as far as waste collection and transfer is concerned but “we still have a long way to go with management of waste at the landfill, transformation of waste to energy or other resources and management of hazardous waste” they added.

The training has been an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the existing domestic laws – including a law prohibiting plastic bags and single use plastic and a law on environment – and international environmental treaties and other national policies related to environment and sanitation.