Months into the implementation of the law, there was a significant change. Clogging of pipes and drainage systems has reduced tremendously. Roadsides are free from plastic bags and plastic manufacturing companies have been shut down.<\/p>\n
According to the World Bank, the African continent suffers the nightmare of trash and plastics. It produces approximately 62 million tons of waste per year, including plastic waste. With Africa\u2019s rapid urbanization and economic growth, environmentalists expect that figure will double by 2025.<\/p>\n
Waste to energy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The energy tragedy in Africa is also alarming. Data by the World Bank reports that 6 out of 10 people have no access to electricity, and about 80 percent of those in rural areas lack electricity access. But there is good news with waste. Africa\u2019s epidemic of waste may very well contain the seeds of a solution to the energy shortage.<\/p>\n Achieving universal energy access in Africa requires a huge investment of more than $ 1.5 trillion in the energy sector between now and 2050. Without such an investment, sub-Saharan Africa will be home to an estimated 89 percent of the world\u2019s energy poor by 2030.<\/p>\n The high demand for energy in Africa has prompted the needed desire to convert the mounting piles of waste to energy \u2013 and some countries are already showing how that can be done.<\/p>\n The Reppie thermal plant in Ethiopia| Photo source: Government of Ethiopia<\/p><\/div>\n The Reppie thermal plant in Ethiopia, Africa\u2019s first waste-to-energy plant, has a capacity to incinerate 1,400 tons of waste per day. It is able to handle 80 percent of Addis Ababa\u2019s waste and converts it to electricity. When full in operation, it will provide 30 percent of the capital city\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n With the help of the China National Electric Engineering Co., the Ethiopian government was able to execute the project to completion. This was with the aim to increase energy availability and accessibility to all citizens in Ethiopia both rural and urban areas.<\/p>\n The 2018 report by the UN Environment says that the African continent recycles only 4 percent of its waste. Its management is still in its infancy. Most countries are still struggling to find a solution to this menace. The Reppie thermal plant will go a long way to realize the recycling of this waste if it is embraced by other countries.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/REPPIE-300x183.jpg\")