Marriott Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda

Transitioning to a circular economy through sound chemicals and waste management

How is hazardous waste management a key feature in achieving a transition towards a circular economy? This session demonstrates the case of Rwanda’s measures to enhance national waste management capacity through engagement of the private sector and by decoupling chemical waste generation from economic growth.

Related UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • 3 Good health and well-being
  • 5 Gender equality
  • 6 Clean water and sanitation
  • 7 Affordable and clean energy
  • 8 Decent work and economic growth
  • 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • 11 Sustainable Cities and Infrustructure
  • 12 Responsible consumption and production

With thousands of industrial chemicals being marketed worldwide and new chemicals becoming more complex, it is increasingly clear that a robust life cycle management system for chemicals and waste and a systematic approach towards a circular economy are required.

This session describes UNDP’s interventions in the field of chemicals and waste management which aim to achieve circularity. It presents the Global Environment Facility project that aims to support the Government of Rwanda and its private and public sector in decoupling hazardous waste generation and harmful releases from economic growth. It introduces the 4R approach (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Recovery) in priority industries and economic sectors, while at the same time enhancing private sector waste treatment to ensure the sound management of waste streams, generate income, create jobs and protect human health and the environment.

Programme page and registration:  https://forms.office.com/r/5E8Ch7EsD0

Organisers: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)