Waste Solutions Association Rwanda elects a leader to ensure professional, sustainable waste management practices

By The Inspirer.

Waste Solution Association (WSA) with the support of GIZ-Rwanda have organized the first-ever general assembly of waste collection associations and elected the leader to advance and propagate the most professional and sustainable waste management practices.

The association will ensure that waste is managed responsibly and efficiently according to its elected leader.

The Waste Solution Association (WSA) emerged as an initiative spearheaded by dedicated waste operators engaged in all value chains of waste management in Rwanda. The mission of the waste solutions association is rooted in a shared commitment to address Rwanda’s pressing waste management challenges, and embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and coordinated efforts among waste management operators.

Leon NDUWAYEZU, CEO, Agroplast Limited, the elected President of the Association says that the association will help members to raise a voice for advocacy of existing problems and to improve their working manners.  

“The association that is established today will help us to play a significant role in regal formulation by providing information on our activities and how they can be improved to be done at the outstanding level,” NDUWAYEZU says.

Since the existance of the sector 20 years ago, the big problem remains the mindset of people as they fail to have a common understanding of waste management.

NDUWAYEZU says that the establishment of the laws used to be done at the institutional level for their own interests. He says that the association will set up the measures to avoid such issues with one voice for general outcomes.

Steven KARAKE, Director of Research Improvement Cluster at Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), says that the association of wastes management companies will ease information gathering than getting to the individual.

“It is a good move as we manage to work jointly and we reach them directly in the association, we will be able to know the problems they face without difficulties as they are together.” He says.

Boosting waste management strategy

Karake says that players in the sector face problems including legal challenges. He notes that as they link up efforts and raise a voice to advocate for the legal issues including the ban of their businesses by Rema and associated financial fines.

“Currently we are gathering together all the problems relating to hygiene and sanitation and handover them to concerned organs (REMA, Ministry of Trade and Industries (MINICOM, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE) so that we conduct evidence-based advocacy for strong action.” Karake says.

Other objectives of the association include safeguarding public health and environment, pioneering a circular economy, advocacy and awareness and job creation according to NDUWAYEZU.

“We do recognize the pressing need to create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. Our objective is to actively promote and support job creation within the waste management sector, fostering economic growth and social development.”

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