CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION THROUGH MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COMPOSTING IN DSCHANG, CAMEROON.

Abstract

Climate change is a major global concern with developing countries being most vulnerable to its devastating impacts. One of the causes of this change in climate is poor waste management. The management of municipal solid waste in developing countries seems to be very challenging due to the lack of technical know-how. The city of Dschang in Cameroon has seen significant increase in waste generation due to increase in population. To solve this problem, public and private partners in the mid-2000s established a project for collection and recovery of household solid waste through composting in Ngui and Siteu. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of composting in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this, we first collected secondary data, collected primary data, then carried out field surveys, interviews with actors in this sector and participatory observations. The results obtained were processed, analyzed, and interpreted in figures, graphs, chats, tables and text. Dschang municipality produces an estimated 25000 tons of waste annually and just about 10,000 tons of this waste is collected. In 2024, the total waste collected from pre-collection services alone was 3651 tons and 3221 tons of the collected waste composted, giving an 88% compost rate. This method of waste management helps to avoid methane (CH4) emissions through aerobic decomposition, which releases just a little CO2 and steam as by products, giving us the opportunity to assess the avoided emissions. From 2017 to 2023, about 17955 metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions have been avoided through this project. Compost produced was found worthy with acceptable NPK and C/N ratios after analysis in relation to the NF U 44-051 norms. This compost has been instrumental in augmenting agricultural yields, soil quality and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers saving cost. Between 2015 and 2024 the project generated over 59 million FCFA in compost sales and has received about 10.000euros annually since 2017 as carbon credits. The compost facility provides employment to over 45 people which has significantly improved the living standards of the people. How ever several challenges still hinder the scaling up of the project and its sustainability such as lack of awareness, source segregation among others. The study recommended measures that can improve project efficiency, scale up and sustainability.