The project is part of an initiative of the Solid Waste Management Transformative Pilot Project, a visionary step under the MRV Climate Action framework.
Monrovia – The Solid Waste Management Transformative Pilot Project, a movement to reimagine waste as a resource, restore dignity to communities, and reignite local ownership in managing the environment, has launched its pilot phase across five feedstock locations for organic waste collection.
By Francis G. Boayue, [email protected]
The project is part of an initiative of the Solid Waste Management Transformative Pilot Project, a visionary step under the MRV Climate Action framework.
The project led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and supported by the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) and several Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs), was officially launched over the weekend at Jorkpen Town Market in Sinkor.
Giving the overview of the project, the Pilot Lead, Madam Vermon Sangah Lloyd, said the waste crisis in Liberia is a clear and pressing challenge, but it is also an opportunity for job creation and manufacturing of usable products.
According to her, the project has concluded an organic waste baseline study across four key markets; Old Road, Fiamah, Rally Town, and West Point, which has revealed that each of these markets generates an average of 89.3 kg of organic waste daily, mostly leafy greens (83.3%), fruits (10.8%), and vegetables (5.1%), adding that these numbers matter because they tell us we have the raw material for composting, for building soil, for growing food, for generating value from waste.
“This composting site is more than a facility. It is a demonstration of action, an example of what happens when data meets vision, when the community meets commitment, and when waste becomes worth it,” Madam Lloyd said. “From here, we will divert waste from landfills, cut down methane emissions, support cleaner markets, create green jobs, and produce compost that can enrich urban and peri-urban farming. We are not done, but we are on the move. We will learn, we will improve, and we will expand.”
She also lauded the Government of Canada through Novasphere for their generous support and vision for a sustainable Liberia.
She further identified feedstock sources from markets and surrounding communities for green and perishable organic waste, established four composting partnerships with CBEs, ensured community ownership and sustainability, training and built the capacity of five national and local “Champions”, empowering them to lead the transformation in alignment with Liberia’s NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions, and as well develop a robust business model for compost production, collection efficiency, and long-term operational viability as key objectives of the project pilot phase.
