Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, faces a critical waste management issue, which negatively impacts both the environment and public health. According to the Monrovia City Cooperation Report of 2023, the fundamental challenges regarding waste management in the city arise from inadequate collection and improper disposal of garbage, which lead to unhealthy practices such as open dumping, burning, and burying of trash.
By Rose K. ZayZay, contributing writer
These unhealthy practices can contaminate the air and water and spread diseases amongst the population. The city generates approximately 800 tons of solid waste daily; however, only 45% of the data is collected through formal systems, as indicated by a 2022 World Bank report. The remainder is disposed illegally, exacerbating unsanitary conditions.
Poor waste management pollutes the air, land, and water while harmful practices like thermal treatment release toxic particles into the atmosphere thereby affecting communities nearby. Communities such as Whein Town, Fiamah, and Waterside experience outbreaks of diseases such as malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, and cholera. Diarrhea, being one of the leading causes of death among children under five, is directly linked to these conditions as reported by the World Health Organization in 2023.
This article will help examine the causes of Monrovia’s waste management challenges and explore efforts to address them. This article will also serve as a recommendation for sustainable solutions to resolve the waste management crisis. The ongoing struggle with inadequate sanitation and waste disposal systems exacerbates these health issues, creating a cycle of disease that is difficult to break. By investigating the underlying factors contributing to these challenges, we can identify effective strategies for improving public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for all residents.
The Liberian government and NGOs have taken steps to manage solid waste to some extent. According to a world analysis between 2015 and 2023, the World Bank and the European Union financially supported three major solid waste projects. The Cheesemanburg Landfill Urban Sanitation (CLUS), the Emergency Monrovia Urban Sanitation Project (EMUS), and the EU Water Facility Project, funded by the World Bank and the European Union, were primarily focused on providing support for the key and minor waste assortment and enhancing disposal and sanitation in Monrovia. Additionally, infrastructure for solid waste was set up at two transfer stations, preferably Stockton Creek and Fiamah also three installed weighbridges, landfill and transfer stations, 120 communal disposal locations throughout the Greater Monrovia area, and the sanitary Whein Town landfill.
Despite various efforts, significant challenges persist in waste management in Monrovia. Insufficient funding remains a major obstacle, with competing budgetary priorities limiting operations. For example, the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) allocated only 5.25% of its budget to waste management in 2023, according to its report. Illegal dumping is a widespread issue, as waste collection services, managed by the MCC or subcontracted private companies, face inefficiencies.
The 2023 World Bank Report highlights that primary waste collection in Liberia involves door-to-door services and communal dumpsters. However, the system suffers from irregular collection, inadequate specialized containers, and the absence of both an efficient household collection system and waste separation, as a result of which disadvantaged youths (zogos) often resort to disposing of waste in drainage systems, rivers, swamps, or along streets due to these shortcomings. Unlabeled bins further contribute to mixing organic and inorganic waste, increasing landfill volumes and exacerbating environmental pollution.
For instance, the Whein Town dumpsite in Paynesville, established in 2012 with World Bank support as a temporary solution, has long exceeded its capacity. This poses severe environmental risks and public health hazards, as reported by the World Health Organization in 2023.
To address these challenges, Liberia should invest in modern waste facilities, promote recycling initiatives, explore waste-to-energy solutions, secure additional funding, and raise public awareness of proper waste management. These measures can improve the country’s waste management capacity and reduce reliance on landfills.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
