From ruin to renewal: the Mauritanian government commits to reorganizing waste management with an incinerator project

Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, a West African country with a growing population and a fragile waste management system, has long grappled with the dangers of uncollected waste. The city’s streets and streets, once bustling with commerce, were once filled with trash. A scene which aroused concern among residents, authorities and tourists. However, the government, recognizing the urgent need to revamp the country’s waste management system, is set to launch an innovative project to build a massive incinerator, heralding a new era in the country’s efforts to turn waste into wealth and pave the way for sustainability.

The current state of affairs

The situation in Nouakchott was, at one point, alarming, with the city generating up to 500 tonnes of waste per day, while the lack of proper collection facilities meant that most waste ended up in rivers, streets and the deserts. The lack of an effective waste management plan has had far-reaching consequences for public health, with pollution, disease and hygiene problems plaguing residents, while attracting stray animals and pests.

A global solution

To solve these problems, the Mauritanian government has launched an ambitious plan to build a high-tech incinerator capable of processing 1,200 tonnes of waste per day. The project, aptly named “Waste-to-Energy,” involves a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste to minimize the impacts of waste on the environment and public health. The incinerator itself will be equipped with the latest technology to burn non-recyclable waste while minimizing emissions and capturing gases to produce electricity and biofuels.

Key objectives

The Waste-to-Energy project pursues three main objectives:

• Protecting public health and environmental well-being by reducing the presence of toxic waste in public spaces and minimizing the risks associated with disease transmission and water pollution.
• Save waste disposal by redirecting costs associated with traditional methods of waste disposal towards the creation of alternative products and services.
• Promote sustainable practices supporting education and awareness programs on waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

Step by step implementation

To ensure smooth and transparent implementation, the project is executed in several stages:

1. Preparation and planning**: Evaluate waste generation patterns and analyze existing waste management systems.
2. Waste collection and sorting**: Implement a new collection system focused on recycling and composting organic waste.
3. Incinerator Construction and Testing**: Build and install the high-tech incinerator, followed by extensive testing and commissioning to ensure optimal performance.
4. Operations and monitoring**: Train staff to effectively manage the incinerator and establish a rigorous monitoring system to ensure optimal waste treatment and environmental protection.
5. Awareness and Education**: Organize public awareness campaigns and educational programs to educate citizens about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste.