Waste not, want not: Djibouti’s new incinerator to solve the waste problem

Waste not, want not: Djibouti’s new incinerator to solve the waste problem

Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa, faces a major challenge in managing its waste. The capital, Djibouti City, is particularly affected by overflowing landfills, polluted waterways and the constant smell of rotting waste. To solve this urgent problem, the government has launched a bold initiative: building a state-of-the-art waste incinerator. This innovative facility will not only reduce the city’s waste by 70%, but will also produce clean energy from incinerated materials.

The society of wasters

Djibouti, which has just under a million inhabitants, generates more than 250,000 tonnes of waste per year. The majority of this waste is not collected or is thrown away haphazardly, clogging pipes and waterways. Lack of proper waste management not only poses a threat to public health, but also destroys the aesthetics of the city and affects the local economy. The situation is dire, with residents using trash cans and building sanitation facilities to contain the byproducts of their daily lives.

The incinerator solution

The new incinerator, designed and built by the French company Veolia, will be located on the outskirts of the city. With a capacity to burn 12,000 tonnes of waste per year, it will significantly reduce the amount of waste on the streets and help rehabilitate the city’s polluted waterways. The facility will also produce enough electricity to power 5,000 homes, reducing the city’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The advantages

The waste incinerator is not only a solution to the waste problem in Djibouti but also a source of economic growth. The project is expected to create more than 100 jobs, both in construction and operations, and stimulate local economic activity. Additionally, the clean energy produced will reduce the country’s carbon footprint and contribute to its efforts to adapt to climate change.

Conclusion

The new waste incinerator is an essential step towards solving the waste management crisis in Djibouti. By reducing the city’s reliance on landfills and promoting a culture of responsible waste disposal, this facility will improve public health, restore the city’s environment and contribute to the country’s economic development. As a successful example of sustainable development in action, Djibouti’s waste incinerator serves as an inspiration to other cities grappling with waste problems, demonstrating that “waste not, want not” is not not just an expression, but a realistic vision of a cleaner, more livable world. future.