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Recycle Namibia Forum: For a Cleaner Tomorrow
Namibia’s population might be small, but our waste problem is huge,” warns the Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF).
As a reminder, Namibia’s population constitutes a diverse crowd of 13 different ethnic groups, representing just over 2.5 million people who are well distributed over a vast area stretching 823 290 km 2 (that’s about 3 people per km 2 ). We may bear the title of second least densely populated country on the planet – which Namibians wear with pride – but it means nothing for our growing waste reputation. If anything, the title has created room for the false impression that we are spared the issues of densely populated metropolises and nations.
Contrary to popular belief, our “small” population creates thousands of tonnes of waste every day, and in urban areas the figures are shockingly close to those of high income countries that produce up to 1.2 kg per person per day. What makes our situation even more worrisome is the limited access to waste management, facilities and services, and a lack of education and awareness. Enter RNF, a Namibian network promoting effective and sustainable waste management. An organisation that started out in 2012 with 6 dedicated partners is today an umbrella body that represents a broad network of 40 members, from waste and recycling collectors, to organisations, entrepreneurs and individuals who share a passion for sustainable practices.
Its activities include first and foremost a focus on creating a generation of environmentally conscious Namibian citizens, an aim it achieves through educating and engaging the youth in recycling. Now in its tenth year, 47 participating schools from Oranjemund to Rundu, from Windhoek, Swakopmund and the north, in May collected a year’s waste of more than 180 tonnes – mainly paper – through its Schools Recycling Competition. With access to more garbage, it is not surprising that the top waste collecting schools are all based in Windhoek, with Môreson Special School, Dagbreek School for the Intellectually Impaired and Dawid Bezuidenhout Secondary School gathering 38, 32 and 13 tonnes respectively. As one of the top achievers, and to show its commitment to recycling, Dagbreek earlier this year launched the country’s first “recycling drive-through”, which provides residents with a 24/7 drop-off point for recyclables and e-waste.
Unfortunately, our country’s notorious long distances and the lack of recycling facilities generate its own challenges, and in addition to theeconomic changes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the RNF is in the process of revamping its projects, which includes the Schools Recycling Competition. The next step will entail creating Buy-Back Centres at selected schools where waste will be collected, weighed and “bought back” to incentivise recycling.
In addition to the work it does with schools, the RNF coordinates various clean up campaigns in collaboration with local authorities and communities throughout the country; has set up hubs for recyclable items and collection bins for non-recyclables, like batteries; continually invests in awareness campaigns and information booklets; and recently launched a Green Directory to represent service providers in the sustainable sectors.
Anita Witt, coordinator for the RNF, says, “We’re currently on a drive to create awareness around
personal buying habits, called ‘Rethink Tomorrow’. The aim is to promote efforts to repurpose goods and educate consumers to think before theybuy, and when they do buy, also consider how they can stretch the lifetime of the item, or packaging. The world sits with a surplus of waste as a result of our convenient, ‘throwaway’ lifestyles, but there really is no ‘away’ – everything we buy, must go somewhere…”
“Let’s work together to create a zero-wasteto-landfill paradise”.
Find out more, including handy household and office tips, as well as creative green ideas, at www.rnf.com.na
Marita van Rooyen
