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On Friday, February 21, 2025, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, joined the World Bank, the Ministry of Environment, and other stakeholders at the PROBLUE Circular Economy event, where she officially launched the Solid Waste Management Association.
Deputy Minister of the Environment and Climate Change who was also part of the Launch of “Go Circular Week 2025”. Hon. Mima Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens said Plastic waste is a global problem, noting that, unlike other natural materials, it does not decompose for more than a decade.
She stated that plastic clogged our drainage systems, exacerbated flooding, polluted our pristine beaches, and released toxins into our rich biodiversity. She emphasized addressing these acute problems in both aquatic and terrestrial areas in the country.
She called on all actors to take punitive actions to address the overwhelming menace of plastic waste to preserve the environment for future generations.
The Deputy Minister also acknowledged tourism as a source of income and subsequently spoke favorably of corporate partnership to address the plastic menace in potential areas like the beach zones that attract tourism.
Freetown Mayor Speaks on the theme Go Circular Week 2025, Say No to Plastic Pollution! Our breach, our environment, our responsibility! at the Radisson Blu hostel in Freetown.
During her remarks, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlighted the legal and structural challenges affecting sanitation efforts in Freetown. She also outlined FCC’s ongoing initiatives to enhance waste management, including a proposed bylaw that, once enacted, will divide Freetown into eight blocks, making it mandatory for every household to register with a waste service provider and pay for waste collection services.
The launch of the “Go Circular Week” brought together entities across government circles, local authorities, private sector amongst others to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategies for sustaining and transforming plastic waste into the circular economy.
