Monrovia, Aug. 14, 2025 – Liberia’s battle against poor sanitation may have found a new champion. The National Association of Primary Waste Community-Based Enterprises (NACOBE) has sworn in its new president, Mr. Augustine Paye, who unveiled a bold vision he calls “Zero Waste Liberia.”
The induction, held at the YMCA on Broad Street, drew a wide mix of government officials, city mayors, development partners, NGO leaders, community-based groups, and frontline waste workers—those often overlooked but essential in keeping the country’s streets clean.
“This election is not just a victory for me,” Paye told the gathering. “It is a victory for every waste worker who has labored silently to keep our streets and communities clean.”
A Six-Pillar Roadmap for Reform
Paye outlined a comprehensive six-pillar strategy aimed at overhauling Liberia’s waste management system and giving NACOBE a stronger voice in national policy. The pillars include:
- Governance and Accountability -Strengthening internal systems and aligning with national policies.
- Waste Segregation at Source – Promoting household sorting to reduce landfill pressure.
- Resource Recovery – Turning trash into compost, recycled materials, and energy.
- Infrastructure and Logistics – Building modern transfer stations, recycling plants, and improved collection systems.
- Behavior Change and Education – Launching awareness campaigns in schools, markets, and communities.
- Economic Empowerment – Creating green jobs and supporting waste-based businesses.
Proposals under the plan include community recycling cooperatives, composting centers, public awareness drives, and fairer pay for waste workers.
“NACOBE must not only be a service provider but a partner in national waste policy and planning,” Paye said. “Our members are public health defenders, environmental stewards, and climate actors.”
Tackling a Deep-Rooted Crisis
Liberia produces over 1,200 tons of waste daily, with much of it illegally dumped or openly burned, causing severe health and environmental risks. Paye acknowledged the scale of the challenge:
“In too many communities, waste piles clog our streets and drainage systems. Open dumping contaminates our soil and water. Burning pollutes our air. We cannot continue with business as usual.”
While his roadmap was met with optimism, concerns remain about the resources and political will needed to bring it to life.
A Call to Action from the Podium
Serving as Guest Speaker, Hon. Edward Karfiah delivered a sobering message, calling Liberia’s current waste infrastructure “obsolete and harmful,” and urging a shift toward sustainable, climate-conscious solutions.
“We have turned a blind eye to the waste poisoning our communities,” Karfiah said. “This is not just about managing garbage it’s about protecting public health and driving economic transformation.”
He hailed NACOBE’s partnership with Green Guard Eco-Solution, a Liberian waste-to-energy company, as a sign of real progress. The company’s initiatives include recycling, composting, and biogas energy generation.
“We will not only talk the talk we will walk the walk,” Karfiah declared. “You will face resistance. But every piece of waste you collect and every community you educate brings us closer to the Liberia we all deserve.”
As the applause faded, one veteran waste worker summed up the mood with a mix of hope and caution: “We’ve heard big promises before. This time, we want to see big change.”
