CIWM supporting WasteAid in The Gambia
The Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) have offered technical support alongside WasteAid during a visit to The Gambia, bolstering local capacity, sharing best practice, and developing sustainable solutions to pressing sanitation challenges in the region.
The team arrived to support Operation Sanity – a collaborative project with Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) focused on reducing littering, improper waste disposal, and improving public sanitation through education and community engagement. The initiative seeks to foster a circular economy by encouraging responsible waste management practices among residents and local authorities.
During their visit, CIWM members joined the WasteAid team in conducting site assessments, facilitating workshops with council waste management teams, and engaged in networking with the Dennakuwo Circular Economy Network, which is supported by funding from CIWM.
Watch this short film about our CIWM-supported work:
The delegation included several highly experienced waste management professionals such as Sarah Burns, Sustainability & Engagement Manager at Bristol Waste Company; Neil Thompson, Senior Associate in Waste and Resource Management at Mott MacDonald; John Paterson, CEO of Scottish Canals; and Bonni Jee, Principal Advisor for Waste and Recycling at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE).
This collaboration exemplifies the power of international partnership and shared expertise in addressing waste management challenges and promoting sustainable development worldwide.
Ceris Turner-Bailes, Chief Executive of WasteAid, said: “This visit marks a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with CIWM. Operation Sanity is about more than waste – it’s about dignity, health, and opportunity. By combining technical expertise with local insights, we are working together to build a cleaner, safer future for the people of the Greater Banjul Area.”
Take a look at some photos of our technical visit in June:
The delegation was hosted by Kanifing Municipal Council for a series of discussions and workshops. During these workshops, the team from CIWM presented on behavior change campaigns, standard operating procedures, community engagement, stakeholder mapping and much more.
A key highlight was the team’s visit to Bakoteh Dumpsite (landfill), which handles 300-400 tonnes of waste daily and has long been a concern for environmental, social, and public health. Here the team observed recycling efforts carried out by informal scavengers working on-site, many of whom recover valuable materials such as metals, plastics, and cardboard to make a modest living. While these efforts are somewhat effective, there are still huge challenges to overcome, particularly regarding health and safety conditions of those working within Bakoteh.
CIWM CEO, Sarah Poulter, reflected on the visit saying: “Sustainable waste management is a shared global responsibility, and through harnessing our extensive network of waste management professionals, CIWM is committed to informing and empowering local professionals to develop waste management models that are not only safe and effective but also prioritise resource recovery. In doing so, we can help to develop a more circular economy and move towards a world beyond waste.”
WasteAid’s own Jason Woodroofe shared his reflections on an impactful visit:
Take a look out our social media video updates from the visit:
The Background
In January 2022, with generous support from CIWM, WasteAid launched an ambitious programme to develop a circular economy network in the Greater Banjul Area of Gambia where around 58% of the country’s 2.7 million population live. The Circular Economy Network (CEN), named locally as Dennakuwo meaning ‘Together we Can’, quickly became a hub for Gambian waste innovators, local government representatives, and green entrepreneurs.
This has been a unique approach delivered and developed by WasteAid and generously funded and supported by CIWM. By establishing a direct link between UK and Gambia in the private and public sectors, we have created a dynamic exchange of expertise and innovation.
CIWM members have not only contributed through online training sessions and webinars but have also provided on-the-ground technical support such as this. Their insights and mentorship have helped shape initiatives such as the targeted advisory group for plastics recycling and the Local Authorities Working Group, ensuring that waste management policies evolve in tandem with practical, community-driven solutions.
“All of us at CIWM are incredibly proud of our partnership with WasteAid, and the work of the ever-growing Gambian Circular Economy Network. It is a fantastic example of how establishing a direct link between UK and Gambia can lead to a dynamic exchange of expertise and innovation, creating a truly circular economy that can help protect the world’s environment and resources for future generations.” Sarah Poluter, CEO of CIWM.