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Solid waste collection in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Solid waste collection in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Study on the organization of solid waste collection and preliminary landfill assessment

Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is considered to be the third most populated African city after Cairo and Lagos.  The population is estimated at 12 million. 7,500 metric tons of waste per day are produced. Waste collection and treatment rates are low with virtually non-existent transit stations or managed landfills.  Kinshasa is in a state of abject squalor. Waste production is set to increase: according to the World Bank, the city’s population will be 20 million by 2030.

Solid waste collection in Kinshasa - 1
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Mission

In view of this urgent situation, the Kinshasa City-Province Government (KCPG), with financial and technical support from the World Bank, has decided to carry out priority measures in six target towns within the Ndjili River’s watershed that causes deadly floods. This affects about two million inhabitants. This zone is packed with both physical and social vulnerabilities. Sanitation services are particularly limited, and some neighborhoods appear to be totally cut off from the rest of the city. In addition, the Mpasa household waste landfill, the only managed outlet for the household waste collected in Kinshasa, is at a distance of more than 40km with no transfer station. Waste is therefore deposited in an unregulated manner and redevelopment of the site is essential.

Solution

The study for which Antea Group has been commissioned focuses on improving the organization of solid waste pre-collection, transit, transfer and treatment, the promotion of recovery and recycling activities, the definition of an emergency action plan to ensure the disposal of waste in the Mpasa landfill.

In the first assessment phase and inventory of requirements, Antea Group carried out household surveys, assessed the current pre-collection practices, established recommendations to improve collection efficiency and operations and put forwards recommendations on where to site the municipal recycling facilities network and a transfer station, as well as a preliminary assessment of the Mpasa landfill.

The second technical phase consists of conducting pre-project summary studies (topographic study, Mpasa landfill rehabilitation, expansion project, detailed preliminary studies for a typical transfer station and three types of recycling facilities, the drafting of an invitation to tender document as well as an environmental and social impact study.

Results

With these detailed studies the structuring and implementation of an efficient pre-collection, collection, removal and treatment project for Kinshasa’s waste progressed rapidly, and contributed to the improving future living conditions for part of Kinshasa’s population.

Key Figures

  • 7,500 metric tons of waste per day are produced
  • 12 million population