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Africa is grappling with a serious and growing waste problem. Waste generation across the continent is significant, with estimates suggesting Sub-Saharan Africa alone producing 81 million tonnes in 2012, ballooning to 174 million tonnes in 2016, and projected to reach a staggering 269 million tonnes by 2030.
Despite this alarming rise, recycling rates remain dismally low, with just a small fraction of waste being diverted from landfills and illegal dumping.
South Africa, for instance, generates a hefty 108 million tons of waste annually, but only manages to recycle around 10%. Landfills are overflowing, highlighting the critical need for improved waste management strategies. However, South Africa also offers a beacon of hope. The country boasts impressive recycling rates for specific materials, with over 75% of metal packaging and 62% of PET plastics finding a second life. This success is partly attributed to the crucial role played by the informal sector, where waste pickers and recyclers contribute significantly, saving municipalities substantial costs in managing landfill waste.
55 million tons
of waste is generated in South Africa every year
Beyond South Africa, other countries like
Egypt (averaging 200-250 kg of MSW per capita annually with 13% plastic content), and
Morocco (experiencing a growing trend in plastic imports and consumption) face similar struggles.
Down to Nigeria
Down to Nigeria
According to the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria generates about 32 million metric tons of waste per year. Plastic wastes amount to 4.7 million annually and most of this waste ends up in landfills, sewers, beaches, and water bodies.
32 million tons
of waste is generated in Nigeria every year
The area that much waste will cover is as large as one State in the country
A World Bank report also estimates that 0.51 kilogramme of waste is generated daily by each Nigerian, and it is forecasted that Nigeria’s annual waste will rise to 107 million metric tons by 2050. This is a development that is not only a threat to the environment but also an opportunity for recyclers.
0.51kg
of waste generated daily per person
If we continue at this rate, Nigeria will be producing
107 million tons
annually by 2050
With Nigeria generating millions of tons of waste annually, plastic, textile, and tire waste, along with scrap metal (3%-20% depending on the area), represent significant portions of this issue. For example, Nigeria produces about 4.7 million tons of plastic waste annually, contributing heavily to pollution, particularly in coastal areas, where up to 20% of it ends up in the ocean.
Similarly, waste from tires, which is not as frequently recycled, adds to the burden, especially in urban centers . Textile waste also contributes a notable portion, though accurate figures are more scattered across reports.
This calls for a creative solution: An art museum focused on the use of waste.
This calls for a creative solution: An art museum focused on the use of waste.
This museum would breathe new life into discarded materials by showcasing art made from them. But its impact would go beyond exhibits – it would use education, community engagement, and exhibitions to promote waste reduction and recycling, while demonstrating that scrap can be more than just raw materials for steel, or plastic for reuse.
That is the “Why” for establishing a Scrap Art Museum in Nigeria. We have envisioned a museum that will collect and promote scrap art through exhibitions, educational programmes, publications, and community engagements.
The major goal of our Scrap Art Museum is to establish a place where we will encourage people based on the application of four Rs (reduce, repurpose, recycle, and reuse) to waste with a view to saving the earth. And when we say people, we don’t just mean Nigerians, but all Africans and peoples of the earth.
Artistically, the outward appearance of the museum should convey the salvation message even in the absence of signage. Futhermore, Africa badly needs more institutions that would inspire the creation of employment opportunities, as the rate of unemployment in NIgeria and Africa at large keeps rising astronomically. Thus, the philosophy of the museum goes beyond preserving culture; it entails instilling leadership traits to shape the future of Africa for sustainable development.
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