Accra: Every Saturday morning, before the sun climbs high enough to bake the red laterite earth, Mary Asaah starts her day by sweeping her compound in Asaloko, a community of about 1,200 people. She collects empty water sachets, which she and her neighbors treat like currency.
According to Ghana Web, these small, clear plastic pouches are ubiquitous in Ghana as the primary source of drinking water. After being torn open and drained, the sachets are often discarded, contributing to environmental pollution. However, in Asaloko, residents collect them and exchange them at a sachet-water company in the nearby town for fresh water supplies.
'The water sachet is like our gold,' Asaah says in her local language of Gurune. Her sentiment reflects the community's innovative approach to waste management. The program has saved women like Asaah money, with as much as 5 tonnes of sachets leaving Asaloko annually.
Experts highlight the significance of Asaloko's initiative, particularly in a country where less than 10 percent of the 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated annually is recycled. In rural districts where formal waste collection is nearly non-existent, burning waste has been the norm, releasing toxic air pollutants.
The organized recycling system in Asaloko stands out as a community-led response to a national challenge. This initiative began with WaterAid Ghana's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program, which initially focused on hygiene practices. The community's behavior change has since extended to waste management, reducing the reliance on burning plastic waste.
The Dem Dhat sachet water company in Balungu plays a crucial role in Asaloko's recycling economy. It offers a practical, business-driven solution to the plastic waste problem, demonstrating how local businesses can contribute to environmental solutions.
Despite the success, not all waste can be recycled or composted in Asaloko. Items like diapers and single-use plastics still get burned, highlighting the need for a composting and recycling plant. However, the cost is high, estimated at GHS224 million ($US20 million), which the community cannot afford on its own.
Thirty kilometers away in Sherigu, the consequences of inadequate waste management are evident. The municipal landfill burns continuously, contributing to air pollution and health issues. A planned composting and recycling plant, announced in 2020, remains incomplete due to land disputes, leaving the community to grapple with the growing waste problem.
Ghana's policies on plastic waste management have been in place for years, but enforcement and implementation have been weak. The country banned certain plastic imports in 2008 and established a Plastic Waste Recycling Fund in 2011. However, a performance audit by the Auditor-General in 2024 highlighted ongoing challenges.
WaterAid's Aliu emphasizes the need for a scaled solution that includes household waste sorting, stronger community-recycling market ties, and dedicated budget lines at the district level. Asaloko's example demonstrates the potential for community-driven change in environmental management.
As the community continues its efforts, Asaah collects sachets one by one, contributing to a cleaner environment and ensuring her family has access to liquid 'gold.'