Monrovia, Liberia – Over the weekend, the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia inaugurated a groundbreaking initiative in Solid Waste Management at Jorkpen’s Town market in Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia. Speaking at the event, the pilot’s lead, Mrs. Vermon Sangah Lloyd, clarified that the initiative is more than simply a program; it is a movement to rethink garbage as a resource to restore community dignity and to rekindle local ownership of environmental management.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Monrovia City Corporation, in partnership with the Liberia Marketing Association community-based enterprise and the community leadership in catchment areas, implemented the pilot project under the MRC Climate Action umbrella, recognizing the Government of Canada through Novasphere for their support and vision of a sustainable Liberia in the years to come, she said.
Mrs. Lloyd maintained that they have adopted a hands-on approach to establishing a long-term climate wise waste solution foundation in Liberia under the direction of her core-lead, a waste management specialist from Brussels named Mr. Christopher Godlove.
However, she pointed out that Monrovia, the capital city, produces over 800 tons of solid waste every day, of which only 45% is appropriately collected. She said, the rest ends up in the streets, rivers, and unofficial disposal sites, endangering the environment, livelihoods, and health.
“Our organic waste baseline study, which was carried out across four major markets in Monrovia, Old Road, Fiamah, Rally Town, and West Point showed that each of these markets generates an average of 89.3 kg of organic waste per day, primarily leafy greens (83.3%), fruits (10.8%), and vegetables (5.1%). The pilot lead described the waste crisis as a clear and pressing challenge but also an opportunity.
Additionally, according to Mrs. Lloyd, the project’s four main goals are to: identify feedstock supplies, form four composting partnerships with CBEs, A strong business plan for compost production and long-term operational visibility should be developed, together with the training and capacity building of five national and local champions.
The project’s accomplishments since its inception were highlighted by Madam Lloyd, who also announced that five stakeholders—EPA, MCC, LMA, CBEs, and the local communities had been identified to coordinate, manage, and oversee its implementation. She also facilitated a knowledge-sharing visit to Tanzania for stakeholders, hosted by Nipe Fagio, to learn useful composting techniques that could be applied in Monrovia.
Four (4) CBEs who have been trained and certified to collect and carry organic trash to the composting facility in Jorkpen’s Town Market completed an organic waste baseline study, providing essential information to direct implementation. completed community mapping, located collection stations, and made sure all houses and traders were covered. Among other, they formed a Solid Waste Coordination Committee (SWCC), which is led by the EPA and co-chaired by MCC, to monitor progress and address issues.
According to Mrs. Lloyd, the composting site launch is more than just a facility; it is a show of action, an illustration of what happens when data and vision meet, when community and commitment meet, and when waste becomes valuable. The pilot will divert waste from landfills, reduce methane emissions, support cleaner markets, create green jobs, and produce composts that will enhance urban and peri-urban farming.
Through collective corporations, the pilot should become a national model, a climate-smart revolution, and a legacy of hope for future generations. The pilot lead encouraged stakeholders to continue participating, and CBEs to see themselves as the frontline of change, communities to take charge of the project, and everyone to keep turning waste into wealth.
