From Landfill to Incineration: How Comoros is Changing Its Waste Management Strategy

From Landfill to Incineration: How Comoros Is Changing Its Waste Management Strategy

Comoros, the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, grapples with escalating waste management challenges primarily due to limited infrastructure, increasing waste generation, and insufficient awareness among citizens. Addressing this growing crisis has compelled the government to abandon traditional landfilling and turn to a multifaceted approach embracing incineration alongside other renewable solutions.

Promoting Public Awareness & Waste Management Practices

Combating waste demands a united approach. To ensure wide-scale buy-in, the Comorian authorities actively promote:

• Community sensitization workshops and social media campaigns
• Elementary and secondary school curriculum introductions on waste segregation and the importance of waste reduction at the source
• Village and island competitions themed "Cleanest Community / Island"

Embracing New Waste Transformation Solutions

The traditional landfill practice of waste handling is deemed inadequate to fulfill the ever-increasing environmental and space limitations. Moving forward, the Comorian government is actively exploring & implementing technologies and infrastructure shifts to include:

• Large-capacity incineration plant: under construction in collaboration with development partners
• Material recovery and sorting stations: being implemented to refine and repurpose recyclable waste materials.
• Organic waste conversion plants for compost creation

**Potential Challenges & Impact of Incineration}

Incineration holds its own set of advantages and downsides. Although aiding in reducing landfill-related pollution and generating additional energy, proper infrastructure requires advanced air pollution control. Concerns exist over the pollution generated during incineration needing mitigation strategies in place and alongside ensuring safety measures near plant operations.

Moving Forward – A Glimmer of Hope

The evolving waste management scheme reflects a new era – a reflection of Comoros’ determination to tackle prevailing issues proactively and sustainably:

• Focus on increased recycling rates
• Sustainable solutions including utilization of Biomass/biodegradable materials

FAQs

1. How will discarding waste in the ocean will impact wildlife?

Comoros plans to build treatment facilities prior to reaching open seas, ensuring emission reduction. Initiatives to preserve local flora & fauna habitat alongside sustained protection measures at coastal & oceanic levels and should be jointly implemented

2. Do alternative methods of waste conversion exist?

More research & collaborations are occurring to find the most affordable and accessible option. One possibility being investigated is implementing anaerobic digestion (converting digestible materials into methane and recycled water).

3. When will landfills become obsolete?

Comoros targets complete stoppage of landfill operation once a full-fledged waste collection, transformation, and sanitation system becomes operational. Achieved by the end of the planned transition period comprising of 4 viciss to 3years.

4 Künzel Khalifa Mohamed Hassan (Assistant for Communication and Communication Strategies Comoros Environmental Authority) summarises:

"Addressing waste management isn’t a solo stride. Inclusive approaches – drawing in each segments of the population while emphasizing both long- & short – term solutions brings true progress and sustainability our islands deserve."