Addressing Ineffective Waste Collection in Cameroonian Cities: A Call for Civic Engagement and Responsibility

isecoalition
12 minutes ago
4 min read

In many urban areas across Cameroon, waste management remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges. While waste generation continues to rise due to population growth, urbanization, and increased consumption, the systems meant to manage this waste are often overwhelmed, inconsistent, or completely absent. The result is a familiar and troubling sight: open dumps along streets, sidewalks, and public spaces — threatening public health, degrading the environment, and diminishing the beauty of our cities.

This reality is not just a sanitation issue; it is a public health concern, an environmental justice issue, and a clear indication of the need for stronger civic engagement and shared responsibility.

At ISEC Cameroon, we have long advocated for environmental education, youth empowerment, and sustainable community practices. Waste management is one of the areas where citizen behavior, local governance, and community values intersect. Addressing it requires collective action from municipal authorities, community leaders, households, and residents — including young people.

The Growing Problem of Ineffective Waste Collection

Ineffective waste collection in cities like Douala, Bamenda, and Yaoundé manifests in many ways:

Waste containers overflowing for days or weeks
Residents dumping trash on roadsides or in drainage canals
Burning waste in open spaces, releasing toxic fumes
Blocked gutters leading to flooding during rainy seasons
Piles of mixed waste attracting rodents and mosquitoes
Unpleasant odors and unsightly streets that discourage tourism and business

These issues are only worsened during the end-of-year festive season, when consumption increases and household waste doubles or even triples. Without improved collection frequency or emergency cleanup efforts, city sanitation systems struggle to cope.

Why Open Dumps Are a Serious Threat

Open waste dumps are not harmless. They pose multiple dangers, including:

1. Public Health Risks

Uncollected waste becomes a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, rats, and harmful pathogens. These can spread diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.

2. Environmental Pollution

Mixed waste contains plastics, organic matter, chemicals, and other dangerous materials. When dumped in the open, these substances leach into the soil, contaminate groundwater, and pollute the air.

3. Blocked Waterways and Flooding

Dumping waste in gutters, drains, and ravines is a major cause of flooding in urban Cameroon. Blocked drainage channels prevent rainwater from flowing properly, causing destructive floods.

4. Loss of Urban Aesthetics and Safety

Beyond health and environmental impacts, open waste piles damage the visual appeal of our cities. They make streets unsafe for pedestrians, reduce community pride, and weaken the tourism and investment potential of local economies.

A Call for Responsibility: What Citizens Can Do?

While municipal authorities play a critical role in waste collection, citizens also have a responsibility to manage waste properly, especially during periods when collection is irregular. As a civically engaged resident, here are practical steps you can take:

1. Use Waste Bags (Sac Poubelle) with Your Bin

Lining your bin with a proper waste bag prevents littering and ensures cleaner disposal. A pack of 10–15 bags cost approximately 1,000 FCFA and significantly reduces mess during disposal.

2. Separate Waste at Home

Separate organic waste (food and plant matter) from plastics, metals, and other recyclables. Organic waste can be composted to enrich soil for gardens or plants, while recyclables can be reused or sent to collection points.

3. Support Recycling and Upcycling

Many local organizations and informal waste collectors accept plastics, bottles, cans, and other valuable materials. By giving these items to recyclers or artisans who repurpose them, you reduce pollution and support circular economy practices.

4. Reduce Consumption and Food Waste

Especially during the festive season, avoid buying or cooking more than you can consume. Excess food waste contributes heavily to overflowing bins and unpleasant odors.

5. Teach and Engage Others

Environmental responsibility grows through shared values. Talk to your family, neighbors, and friends about proper waste handling. Encourage children and youth to adopt environmentally responsible habits.

6. Keep Waste in Closed Containers

Using closed bins helps prevent wind, rain, and animals from scattering waste around your home or street.

7. Avoid Dumping Waste in Drains or Waterways

Even a small amount of waste in drainage systems contributes to major flooding and environmental degradation. Protect waterways by disposing waste responsibly.

8. Join or Support Community Clean-Up Efforts

Participating in clean-ups builds community pride and reduces pollution in shared spaces. Youth involvement in clean-ups also encourages leadership and civic responsibility.

9. Report Uncollected Waste

If waste is not collected for long periods, contact your local council, sanitation company, or community leaders. Reporting issues helps authorities respond faster.

Towards Cleaner, Healthier Cities in Cameroon

Waste management is everyone’s responsibility. While cities and councils must improve their collection systems, citizens also play a critical role in reducing pollution and maintaining clean communities.

At ISEC Cameroon, we believe in the power of youth-led action and environmental education to transform behavior and strengthen community resilience. By working together — authorities, households, youth organizations, and residents — we can create the clean, healthy, and beautiful cities we aspire to live in.

A cleaner Cameroon is possible. It begins with civic responsibility, community engagement, and the daily choices we make about how we handle our waste.