Waste Management Probe: Concept of an Improved System for Cameroon: Technology Challenges and Opportunities in a Low Income Nation

Huge amounts of waste generated in Cameroon from various production activities are not disposed of as appropriate, nor as possible. The resulting harm on the environment is immense. Lack of the inclusion of sound waste management techniques in the agendas of the stakeholders over the years stand as the greatest challenge to the country. The health of the population is grossly at stake, and public health safety measures in Cameroon must be completely interwoven with the implementation of a sound waste management system. Resources that may have been allocated to other public investment projects are diverted to harness raw materials for the industries,while a vast amount of such raw materials lie in dumps,the ultimate waste recipient in Cameroon. Plus recommending the adoption of sound policies,this two-part study reviews in part I, a sound waste management chain: sorting, regular collection, recycling,incineration, composting/fermentation for energy recovery , before final landfilling. Part II addresses the example of palm oil processing and looks into how compost and biogas can be conveniently tapped from the residues to supplement income for the industry.