Rwanda Launches Advanced Waste Valorization Facilities at Nduba

By Felicie Tombola.

Rwanda Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), has on June 19, 2024, inaugurated pilot municipal waste valorization facilities at the Nduba dumpsite.

This milestone is part of the “Waste to Resources Project: Improving Municipal Solid and Hazardous Waste Management in Rwanda,” which ran from July 2021 to July 2024.

Funded by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the initiative aims to transform Rwanda’s waste management system and promote a circular economy.

The newly inaugurated facilities include a Waste Sorting and Separation Facility capable of handling 100 tons per day to enhance recycling efficiency, a Bio-Waste Treatment Facility that converts five tons of organic waste per day into organic fertilizers, and a Truck Weighbridge with a capacity of 60 tons to ensure accurate measurement of waste entering the Nduba landfill and diverted to the new facilities.

The project also introduced household waste sorting pilots, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives.

Additionally, four reverse vending machines (RVMs) will soon be installed across Kigali to incentivize the collection of recyclable materials, such as plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans, and e-waste, in exchange for rewards.

Another key component of the project is the Refrigerant Gas Reclamation System, installed at Enviroserve Rwanda Green Park in the Bugesera Industrial Park.

This system safely reclaims and recycles refrigerant gases, reducing harmful emissions from non-functional cooling appliances and promoting environmental sustainability.

These initiatives highlight the collaborative efforts between the Government of Rwanda, the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and GGGI, showcasing the power of international partnerships in addressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable development.

“Waste should be viewed as a raw material for valorization, not as waste. This mindset will transform the waste sector and help the country achieve its long-term vision of carbon neutrality,” said Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment.

Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Cooperation, emphasized Luxembourg’s commitment to environmental protection and praised the project.

“The ‘Waste to Resources’ project in Rwanda is a perfect example of how environmental protection can be combined with the creation of new circular economic opportunities that benefit the entire Rwandan population,” he said.

Serge Wilmes, Luxembourg’s Minister of the Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity, expressed satisfaction with the project’s achievements.

“These new facilities will help modernize waste management in Kigali. They are the fruit of a partnership between Luxembourg and Rwanda,” he stated.

Caroline Raes, Rwanda Country Representative for GGGI, highlighted the project’s impact on promoting circularity in waste management.

“The interventions piloted by the project are mitigating emissions from waste, fostering green jobs, and creating economic opportunities,” she said.

The pilot project supports Rwanda’s goal of establishing a sustainable and circular waste management system, offering extensive benefits for communities and the environment. It aims to reduce waste at the Nduba landfill, enhance e-waste management, and create enabling environments for sustainable waste practices.

The project also targets a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 15,320 tCO2 annually and will generate 74 new green jobs while enhancing access to municipal solid waste services for 250,000 people.

Rwanda’s rapid economic growth, urbanization, and population expansion have led to increased waste generation, posing environmental and public health risks. To address these challenges, Rwanda has prioritized waste management, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Waste to Resources project, initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by GGGI, seeks to enhance municipal solid and hazardous waste management and integrate circular economy principles into Kigali’s waste management efforts.

The project’s objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating green jobs, and improving access to waste management services.

Key outcomes are the valorization of organic and plastic waste, improved e-waste management, and policy enhancements coupled with capacity building.

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