In most countries, the collection services of municipal solid waste (MSW) are provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), associations, and private companies, through the system of pre-collection and collection to landfills. However, the lack of logistics, road networks, non-structured residential buildings, land availability, cost of waste collection and siting facilities has led to inefficient MSW management across cities, especially in Lomé.
Air pollution
The open-air burning practices of MSW are widely seen at illegal dumpsites and from households lacking waste facilities. This results in pollutant emissions such as dioxins and furans, and harms human health and the ecology. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2025, roughly 270,000 deaths were attributable to pollutants from waste-burning activities. Air pollution from waste affects the neurological development, immune system, lung and thyroid function, hormone production and development, and many other organs, as indicated in the WHO report. Children are particularly vulnerable to such health risks, with the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Soil pollution
Inappropriate waste dumping leads to land degradation and biodiversity loss. Waste materials are composed of chemicals and heavy metals, which are harmful to human health through contaminated consumption patterns. This is proven by the destruction of soil ecosystem services, for instance, in the food chain supply. It constitutes a barrier for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 1 (poverty elimination), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 3 (good health and well-being).
Surface and ground water pollution
Dwellers living around illegal dumpsites might also face health risks and environmental pollution issues from the waterbody and groundwater contamination, leading to diseases (e.g., respiratory ailments, dengue fever, cholera, diarrhea). This is explained by the drinking water contaminated by the leaching of contaminants into groundwater and runoff. It also results in biodiversity loss by harming the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.
Conclusion
The illegal dumpsites and inappropriate waste disposal practices of dwellers in our communities undermined the health of the ecosystem. This is driven by human negative perception of waste, as illustrated by the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) and NIABY (Not In Any Back Yard) syndromes, exacerbated by poor living conditions, lack of waste facilities, and regulations. To overcome such challenges, waste management stakeholders and policymakers need to establish a capacity-building framework around waste value chain initiatives. Living in an era of zero waste is achievable with people rethinking and redesigning waste value solutions towards economic and environmental treasures.