Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), a non-governmental organisation, is providing commercial entities with practical guidelines and innovative economic models that can turn the nearly 3,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily in Accra from burden into a resource.
This is after it has been established that 95 per cent of the said waste collected in the Greater Accra Region ends up in landfill sites, causing serious environmental and public health problems.
These came to light at a workshop in Accra yesterday to validate a new Zero Waste Services Playbook aimed at transforming how businesses in Accra manage their waste.
The workshop drew more than 40 participants across Accra and three Municipal Assemblies – Korle Klottey, LaDMA, and Ablekuma West as well as community leaders to refine the draft playbook before its public release.
In an interview with The Ghanaian Times, the Co-Founder of GAYO, Mr Desmond Alugnoa, said the playbook sought to provide commercial entities with practical guidelines that would not only reduce waste but also cut costs and generate new sources of income.
“We now believe it is the right time to produce a tool that can serve as a manual for industries, households, and individuals. It will help them to drastically reduce waste, save money, and create green jobs,” he noted.
According to him, the playbook outlined a 7Rs Framework, Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Repurpose, and Recycle Right, an expanded model that goes beyond the traditional reduce-reuse-recycle mantra.
Mr Alugnoa added that the book encouraged industries to rethink packaging designs, eliminate single-use plastics, and adopt refill and reuse systems, noting that “Organic waste, for instance, can be transformed into compost or repurposed into packaging products like bowls made from coconut husks.”
He said “A unique feature of the playbook is its human-centred approach, which emphasises the role of the informal sector in waste recovery. Waste pickers, scrap dealers, and “borla taxi” operators already play a critical role in recycling, yet often work without recognition or protection.”
“The playbook proposes a ‘Just Transition’ strategy that would integrate these groups into formal systems, ensuring safer conditions, fair wages, and long-term livelihoods,” he said.
A Global Health Expert, Professor Reginald Quansah, stressed the importance of enforceable laws and strong institutions.
He cited international examples, including Kigali’s successful ban on plastics and San Francisco’s dramatic reduction of landfill waste, noting that Ghana could achieve similar results with strong policies backed by alternatives.
“If people are asked not to burn waste or use plastics, then there must be options provided. Education and enforcement must go hand in hand,” he said.
The Project Coordinator for Zero Waste Cities in Accra at GAYO, Ms Mabel Naa Amorkor Laryea, added that waste should be seen not only as a threat but also as a resource.
She urged the youth to rethink waste as an opportunity for entrepreneurship.