STORY: Namibia inaugurates first waste buyback center to boost circular economy
SHOOTING TIME: April 12, 2024
DATELINE: April 14, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:43
LOCATION: Windhoek
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the inauguration
2. SOUNDBITE (English): MOSES MATYAYI, Chief Executive of Windhoek
3. various of the waste buyback center

STORYLINE:

Namibia on Friday inaugurated its first waste buyback center (WBBC) which will see residents earn income by collecting and selling recyclable materials at an event held in the informal settlement of Katutura in Windhoek, the Namibian capital.

Established under the project "Improving Solid Waste Management in Windhoek," financed by the European Union and implemented jointly with the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, the WBBC is to reduce waste volumes, minimize harmful environmental effects, promote recycling, and create job opportunities through startup incubation focusing on waste reengineering.

During the inauguration ceremony, Queen Kamati, the mayor of Windhoek, highlighted the center's significance beyond its physical presence. She emphasized its role in advancing environmental stewardship, economic empowerment, and community development.

"The establishment of this facility is also in alignment with the objectives outlined in the 2018 national waste management strategy, which seeks to position Namibia as a leader in Africa in terms of solid waste management standards by 2028, with a subsequent focus on waste reduction and achieving zero waste to landfill," she added.

Ana-Beatriz, ambassador of the European Union to Namibia, highlighted the project's funding of 2.2 million euros (about 2.34 million U.S. dollars) launched in 2020 for four years.

She emphasized its objective to transition Namibia towards a more sustainable model known as a "circular economy," particularly focusing on Windhoek as a pilot project. Additionally, the project aims to mitigate environmental harm and promote growth through waste recycling.

Stellio Tsauseb, acting chief engineer for the City of Windhoek, outlined the waste management process, emphasizing the need for waste separation. He explained that different types of waste, such as aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and paper, must be separated for efficient recycling.

A second waste buyback center is set to be established after the pilot's successful conclusion with more centers expected to be established across the southwestern African nation.

SOUNDBITE (English): MOSES MATYAYI, Chief Executive of Windhoek
"Our vision at the moment is to be a sustainable and a caring city by 2027. This is one of the milestones that we've set ourselves within the strategic objectives for us to achieve that goal of becoming sustainable by buying waste, to recycle it, reuse it, and repurpose it again."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Windhoek.
(XHTV)