Solid household waste management in Mahajanga

This work is based on the reality of waste management in most Malagasy towns, particularly in Mahajanga. A lot of waste is dumped in drains and in the streets, there is a proliferation of illegal dumps and waste collection is often irregular. Some city dwellers rummage through garbage bins on a daily basis to recover waste for multiple purposes: reuse, sale at the market, manufacture of new materials, etc. Informal waste activities are multiplying, even though they have received no support or help from the state to become professional and regular. We believe that the future of this field is enormous: if properly supported, waste pickers can make a living like any other worker. We need to train them, and help them materially and financially. Everyone needs to be informed and made aware of the importance of good waste management to preserve health and the environment. So the road to sustainable development depends to a large extent on good management of household solid waste.