Congo/ Environment: Congo wants to promote local waste reduction initiatives

Delegates from civil society organizations, development partners and the Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin (MEDDBC) met in Brazzaville on March 29 for an awareness-raising workshop to celebrate International Zero Waste Day and highlight local waste reduction initiatives.

Discussions focused on promoting responsible consumption and production practices, as well as sustainable urban waste management to reduce our ecological footprint.

During the proceedings, participants were made aware of the environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industry, with a view to recycling waste and cleaning up the common good, "the environment", by highlighting local and international initiatives that contribute to waste reduction.

Fashion is one of the world's most polluting industries. Textile recycling, the use of eco-friendly raw materials and the promotion of the circular economy were among the suggestions put forward by seminar participants.

Sitting down, the Minister stressed the urgency of adopting sustainable practices in highly polluting sectors. " It is imperative to rethink our modes of production and consumption in order to preserve our ecosystems and reduce the pressure on our natural resources", stressed Arlette Soudan-Nonault.

Civil society organizations will form a platform to work towards sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices. " Today, we need to understand that the issue of waste management is very important and requires citizen involvement. We must not leave it in the hands of the state; on the contrary, civil society organizations, together with development partners, must raise awareness among the population of the need for eco-responsible behavior", declared Kaya Mikala, representative of the NGO Eco Classe 2024.

By 2025, humanity will generate between 2.1 and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. If nothing is done, this figure could increase by 70% by 2050. This international "Zero Waste" day aims to raise awareness of the importance of preventing and minimizing waste, and to promote a circular economy.

The drive to promote responsible consumption and combat textile pollution remains a major challenge for the future of the planet. Baclan Christ Charly Mbemba, departmental president of the Congo Children's Parliament, commented: " On the contrary, more children are affected by the effects of polluting waste and ecosystem degradation. As children's representatives in Parliament, we have expressed our concerns to the Minister regarding the promotion of the financing system for textile and fashion companies [......], the adaptation of texts to raise children's awareness, because when a child sees a document that only has the written word, he doesn't understand anything, but it needs to be caricatured by drawings or images so that he understands better".

At the end of the workshop, the Minister for the Environment reaffirmed the Congolese government's commitment to supporting the transition to more sustainable development, and to strengthening cooperation with civil society and international players for a waste-free future.

"Despite the government's efforts, there are a number of weaknesses in municipal waste management, not least because of its diversity. Fashion and textile waste have not yet been the subject of a scientific study. Together, let's make this day the starting point for lasting, positive change. These words highlight the importance of International Zero Waste Day, and encourage everyone to commit to a more sustainable future," concludes Arlette Soudan-Nonault.

Source: www.adiac-congo.com/