Sensitization as a Means of Fostering Waste Management in Developing Countries. The case of Bamenda, Cameroon

Abstract

Waste management is a global problem affecting everyone. As the world population increases, there is also an increase in consumption rate thus leading to an increase in the amount of waste generation. An estimated 2 billion tons or more of MSW is generated globally. Improper waste management has been a major contributor to environmental destruction leading to climate change and public health risks around the globe. This research work focuses on how adopting awareness creation from a well-structured and functioning system like Finland, can help improve the awareness creation on sustainable waste management technics in the developing world among young people in general and Bamenda Cameroon in particular thus enabling people to employ acceptable waste management methods like waste treatment, reduction, assortment, reuse recycle among others. I used both primary and secondary sources of data and findings show that awareness creation will enable young people to resort to sustainable waste management methods which improve and contribute to a sustainable environment for all. Traditional waste management methods like landfilling, open dumping, and burning pose a danger to the environment. I also discovered that awareness creation of sustainable waste management methods is pivotal to solid waste management in Bamenda, Cameroon. With the above mentioned, Sustainable waste management methods should be put into practice as they will teach and broaden people’s knowledge on waste management thus making the environment sustainable and human friendly.