Of Practices and (Micro)politics: Challenges of Organic Waste Segregation in Dschang, Cameroon

• Published in: The journal of environment & development Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 493 - 514
• Main Authors: Kongnso, Eric Moye, Yemmafouo, Aristide, Moumbe, Joël Sagne, Makamté Kakeu–Tardy, Rolande Christelle, Sahakian, Marlyne, Véron, René
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Animal feed; Biodegradable wastes; Biodegradation; Cities; Compensation; Composting; Data; Feeds; Households; Landfills; Management systems; Municipal landfills; Municipal solid waste; Municipal waste management; Organic wastes; Plants; Political ecology; Politics; Power; Qualitative analysis; Restaurants; Segregation; Social norms; Social power; Solid waste management; Solid wastes; Waste disposal sites; Waste management; Waste sorting; Cameroon; Cameroon; waste segregation; power relations; everyday practices
• ISSN: 1070-4965; 1552-5465
• DOI: 10.1177/10704965241246708

Waste generation in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing rapidly. While biodegradable waste remains predominant, it is rarely treated separately by municipal solid waste management systems, thus foregoing the possibility to reduce the volume going to landfills or dumpsites. This paper discusses the unique case of the small city of Dschang, Cameroon, where the municipality operates two central composting plants that treat about 20% of the city’s household and restaurant waste. Using Urban Political Ecology and Social Practice Theory, this article studies waste flows, waste practices, material arrangements, power relations, social norms, institutional dynamics, and policies to identify opportunities and obstacles for organic waste sorting at the level of households and restaurants. Our analysis draws upon qualitative and quantitative data and points to the importance of the availability of multiple waste bins and monetary compensation for organic waste sorting. These factors have also facilitated the development of an informal waste sector, which might use up to 20% of the city’s waste as animal feed and for home/farm composting. However, complex relations between multiple actors and the national policy framework complicate the emergence of organic waste segregation at source as a common practice. In this way, the study shows that solid waste management is also a matter of power and (micro)politics.