At WasteAid, there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing a newly trained Wastepreneur take their first steps into business. Supporting individuals as they build their own sustainable livelihoods is at the heart of everything we do. 

Having previously seen great results with the community in Diepsloot, we are now applying those lessons and successes to our ongoing work in Cosmo City. It’s an exciting chapter as we continue to support local residents in building a cleaner, more resilient future. 

Cosmo City was originally established to showcase integrated living in a post-apartheid era, this area was a pioneer for shared resources and diverse communities. However, success has brought its own set of challenges. 

Driven by a population nearing 100,000, the area is experiencing a “waste squeeze.” Rapid urbanisation and the rise of informal backyard subletting have left municipal collection services struggling to keep up. This gap in service has led to a surge in illegal dumping, particularly in the Itsoseng and Kya Sands corridors. 

Waste management has become a significant challenge for the residents of Cosmo City

For the more economically marginalised living at the heart of this growth, waste management is no longer just a logistical hurdle—it is a critical environmental and social emergency. 

Earlier this month Wasteaid inducted 20 new Wastepreneurs to help tackle the waste problem Cosmo City has been facing, whilst at the same time start their own waste business.    

So far, our 20 participants have tackled two intensive modules focused on waste streams and environmental impact. The curriculum is designed to transform informal collection into a professional, safe, and sustainable career. 

What they’ve learned: 

• The Landfill Reality: Understanding the hazards of traditional sites and the science of food waste.
  
• Efficient Waste Collection & Value: Understanding and applying safer, more efficient collection and processing to add value.

• Climate Connections: How methane emissions from waste contribute to global warming. 

• Best Practices: The vital importance of separation at source and the dangers of burning waste. 

What’s next? Knowledge is just the beginning. Upon completion, the group will move into intensive mentorship. Here, they will gain the tools to conduct community awareness campaigns and the opportunity to pitch for resources to turn their waste-collection visions into viable, long-term businesses. 

This project would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors: EA Foundation and HCD Memorial Fund. Thank you once again for making this happen; we look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you soon.

WasteAid is proud to announce it has stepped into the role of consortium leader of the EU-funded S-ORGANICS project. Building on its successful role as an implementing partner, WasteAid will now oversee the culmination of this flagship programme, continuing its partnership with the Trust Agency for Rural Development (TARUD) and Women Initiative Gambia (WIG). 

Transforming Agriculture Through Circular Innovation 

The S-ORGANIC project is a cornerstone of sustainable innovation in The Gambia, its primary goal is to transform soil fertility management by replacing expensive, imported chemical fertilisers with high-quality, locally produced organic alternatives.  

By turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, the project is tackling two challenges at once: reducing the environmental burden of waste and strengthening national food security. This circular economy approach ensures that Gambian farmers and vegetable producers have access to affordable, sustainable tools to improve crop yields and nutrition across the country. 

National Impact 

Our transition to lead this consortium marks a pivotal moment for WasteAid, as we scale our organics work in country. WasteAid has been responding to the issue of organic waste in Gambia  since  2021, but this project marks the first time we have had national reach. We are incredibly proud of this growth and look forward to the transformative impact this work will have across The Gambia. 

A strong Foundation for the Final Year  

As the project enters a critical phase, WasteAid’s leadership ensures a seamless transition and a focus on long-term sustainability.  

“As an implementing partner of the S-ORGANIC project since day one, WasteAid is in a unique position to step into this leadership role,” says Ceris Turner-Bailes, Chief Executive Officer of WasteAid “we aren’t starting from scratch; we are building on the hard work and success already achieved to deliver an organics strategy at national level. This is a hugely exciting moment for WasteAid, and for creating a greener, more sustainable future for the people of The Gambia.” 

Our Country Programme Manager of The Gambia Lamin Sanyang also had this to say:  

“WasteAid is proud to step into the lead of the S-ORGANIC project, building on two years of deep-rooted partnership to transform organic waste management and soil health in The Gambia. By integrating action research with innovative production training, we are providing the tools necessary to foster a self-sufficient, circular agricultural ecosystem. We aren’t just finishing a project; we are securing a legacy of environmental resilience and economic empowerment for the entire country.”

We are delighted to be steering this initiative to its next phase. Alongside our partners at TARUD and WIG, WasteAid is committed to empowering local communities to build sustainable livelihoods and to securing a cleaner, greener future for The Gambia. 

On 10th April 2026, WasteAid convened a high-level meeting with the National Environment Agency (NEA), culminating in the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration on sustainable waste management and environmental protection in The Gambia. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Director of NEA, Dr. Dawda Badgie, expressed appreciation to all participants for their commitment and patience throughout the engagement process that led to this milestone. He underscored NEA’s satisfaction with WasteAid’s strong alignment with the Agency’s mandate of ensuring a clean and healthy environment. He further highlighted the challenges posed by fragmented waste management efforts in the past, emphasizing the importance of the MoU in fostering coordinated and unified implementation particularly at the community level. The Executive Director reaffirmed NEA’s commitment to working closely with WasteAid, noting the growing global waste challenges and the need for a comprehensive, nationwide strategy. 

The Country Director of WasteAid The Gambia, Lamin Sanyang, reiterated the importance of partnerships, emphasizing that no single institution can achieve its objectives in isolation. He announced the commencement of WasteAid’s first country strategy and invited contributions from key stakeholders, including NEA. Referencing the recent National Waste Management Study, he highlighted the absence of a national strategy and described the MoU as both timely and strategic. 

Our Director of Programmes Akira Akazawa had this to say about the signing of the MoU:
“No single organisation can solve the global waste crisis alone. This MoU represents a powerful step forward between WasteAid’s mission—where waste causes no harm—and the NEA’s vital mandate and provision of its technical expertise. We are particularly excited to align our country strategy with the NEA’s goals, focusing on capacity building and joint funding to turn environmental challenges into sustainable opportunities for the people of The Gambia.”

Mr. Sanyang also outlined key areas of collaboration, including policy alignment, capacity building, and the development of joint funding proposals. He acknowledged the valuable guidance previously provided by NEA and expressed his anticipation for continued collaboration and strengthened partnership moving forward.

Since 2019, WasteAid has been proud to partner with Biffa, one of the UK’s leading waste management companies. What began as an early commitment to a young charity has grown into a long-standing collaboration, helping WasteAid expand its reach, strengthen its organisation, and deliver practical waste solutions in communities around the world.

Building on this shared commitment to improving waste practices, Biffa has also launched a creative initiative to inspire the next generation. Working with best-selling author Yasmine Anane, the company has created a story about Whitney the Wasteater, who falls ill after the wrong items are placed in the recycling bin. Uniquely, the book is one of the first in the world to be printed on paper made from recycled coffee cups, with all proceeds supporting WasteAid projects in The Gambia, Uganda and South Africa.

Ceris Turner-Bailes, WasteAid CEO, said: “We’re delighted to see Biffa using the power of storytelling to help children understand waste and its impact on our world. Whitney the Wasteater and the Wrong Bite is a brilliant way to inspire young readers to care for the environment and help them understand that everyone’s challenges are slightly different -all while supporting WasteAid’s work to improve waste management and livelihoods globally.”

If you’d like to purchase a copy of the book, you can do so here: Whitney the Wasteater.

We like to thank Biffa for their incredible support, if you’d like to read more about our partnership visit this page.

Celebrating continued support from Veralto on World Water Day

Plastic waste is a growing challenge across The Gambia. Rapid urban growth, limited waste services and increasing consumption have created a situation where large quantities of waste are mismanaged each day. In many communities, households have little choice but to burn waste or dump it in nearby open areas and waterways. Over time, this waste is carried into rivers, wetlands and eventually the ocean.

One of the most vulnerable ecosystems is the Tanbi Wetlands Complex near Banjul. This internationally recognised wetland provides breeding grounds for shrimp and oysters, supports local food systems and protects coastal communities. Yet it is increasingly threatened by pollution from mismanaged waste. Plastics dumped in nearby communities often end up in the wetlands, where they damage mangrove ecosystems and contaminate water sources that local people depend on.

On World Water Day, we’re delighted to announce a continuation of support from Veralto for our work in addressing waste concerns in the area.

WasteAid has been working in The Gambia since 2017 to address the links between waste pollution, poverty and environmental degradation. Through its First Step Resource Management programme, the organisation supports informal waste collectors to build sustainable businesses that recover and recycle valuable materials.

Between 2022 and 2024, WasteAid piloted this approach in three communities in the Greater Banjul Area. Local waste collectors were organised into groups and trained in plastic collection, sorting and recycling techniques.

During the pilot phase, more than 115,000 kilograms of plastic waste were collected and sold for recycling. The project also helped reduce the open dumping and burning of waste, improving conditions for more than 800,000 people living in the wider area.

Building on this success, WasteAid is now expanding its work to further protect the Tanbi Wetlands and strengthen local waste systems. A new project titled Our Tanbi, Our Future will support waste entrepreneurship while reducing the flow of plastics into rivers and wetlands.

The project will establish four new plastic waste collector groups in communities located close to high-risk waterways. Participants will receive training in plastic waste management, health and safety, and small business development. Each group will also be provided with essential equipment such as protective clothing, collection bags and trolleys to improve the efficiency and safety of their work.

Small collection and sorting hubs will be developed in each community, allowing collectors to safely process larger volumes of recyclable plastics. WasteAid will also help groups build relationships with buyers and aggregators so that the plastics they collect can be reliably sold and recycled.

Alongside this work, the project will focus on community engagement and behaviour change. Information campaigns, local radio discussions and community activities will raise awareness about the risks of plastic pollution and the importance of responsible waste disposal.

WasteAid CEO Ceris Turner-Bailes said: “By supporting waste collectors as entrepreneurs and environmental service providers, WasteAid aims to create lasting change. I want to thank Veralto for their continued support – this project will help protect the Tanbi Wetlands, reduce plastic pollution and create new economic opportunities for local communities. With the right support, waste can become a valuable resource rather than a growing threat to people and nature.”

On Monday 16 March, The Gambia marked an important step towards sustainable agriculture with the launch of work to develop a National Organic Fertiliser Product Standard. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources.

The ceremony brought together key partners including the Ambassador of the European Union to The Gambia, Imma Roca i Cortés, alongside other representatives including from WasteAid.

The new standard will define what qualifies as organic fertiliser in The Gambia. It will set clear rules for quality, safety, labelling and performance. These measures will help ensure that organic fertilisers are safe for the environment, suitable for farming and reliable for producers and farmers alike.

By introducing a national product standard, the initiative will strengthen confidence in organic fertilisers and support farmers to access safe and dependable agricultural inputs. The standard will also support the growth of a market for locally produced organic fertilisers made from organic waste.

The work forms part of the Civil Society Green Advocacy for Organic Fertilisers initiative. The programme manages five grants funded by the European Union that support projects focused on improving soil health, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and advancing the circular economy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Imma Roca i Cortés said:

“Today’s agreement represents an important milestone. For the first time in The Gambia, a national standard for organic fertilisers is being developed. Standards help ensure that farmers receive products that are safe, reliable and effective. This supports sustainable agricultural practices and improves quality for consumers.”

The standard will be developed by The Gambia Standards Bureau, the national body responsible for creating standards for products, services and systems. The process will involve collaboration with government agencies, research institutions, civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders.

Through this partnership, the organisations aim to establish a strong national standard that aligns with international and regional frameworks. The standard will help improve soil health, strengthen environmental protection and support long-term agricultural productivity in The Gambia.

Lamin Sangyang, WasteAid’s Country Manager in The Gambia, said: “This initiative represents a significant milestone for The Gambia. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and a key source of livelihood for many Gambians. At the same time, the country faces growing challenges related to soil fertility, increasing waste generation, and the need for more sustainable farming practices.

“Organic fertiliser offers a practical solution to many of these challenges. By transforming organic waste into valuable agricultural inputs, we can improve soil health, increase crop productivity, and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in dumpsites. However, for this sector to grow and gain the confidence of farmers, consumers, and investors, clear and reliable standards are essential.”