Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently facing a major challenge: waste management. The figures are alarming, with a daily production of around ten thousand tons of waste for sanitation covering only 20% of the affected area. Faced with this worrying situation, an innovative solution is emerging: the involvement of street leaders in waste management.
Environmentalist Jean Mangalibi highlights the crucial importance of this participatory approach. According to him, street leaders, as essential links in the community, must become aware of the urgency of managing waste at the grassroots level. They must play a central role in organizing waste collection, ensuring that it is properly sorted and treated. This proximity to neighborhood residents can promote greater awareness of the importance of waste management for public health and the environment.
Decentralized management involving street leaders, as well as local and national authorities, could mark a decisive turning point in the fight against unsanitary conditions in Kinshasa. By adopting a more participatory approach and implementing selective sorting strategies at the household level, it becomes possible to consider recycling as a means of preserving the cleanliness of the city.
Furthermore, the strict application of existing laws, such as edict number 003 banning the use of plastic bottles, is essential to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Authorities must ensure the effective implementation of these regulations, in order to enforce sanitation rules and contribute to the preservation of the urban ecosystem.
In this same perspective, the initiative of “Congo Bopeto” aimed at recruiting and training waste pickers in Kinshasa is a step in the right direction. By providing training opportunities to young people and raising their awareness of the importance of their role in waste management, this structure actively contributes to improving sanitation in the city.
In conclusion, the mobilization of street leaders, the application of existing laws and the training of local actors are all essential levers to meet the challenge of waste management in Kinshasa. This inclusive and participatory approach can be a real catalyst to transform the Congolese capital into a model of cleanliness and environmental sustainability. It is time to act together to preserve our environment and provide a healthy living environment for future generations.