Namibia to Build First A-Class Hazardous Waste Facility at Cost of N$200 Million

Namibia to Build First A-Class Hazardous Waste Facility at Cost of N$200 MMillion. Namibia will soon establish its first A-Class hazardous waste treatment and disposal facility, following Rent-A-Drum’s announcement of the Namwaste Management Facility near Arandis. The project, valued at N$200 million, was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement session in Swakopmund.

Rent-A-Drum Managing Director, Riaan Vermeulen, said the 177-hectare facility will be located 17km north of Arandis and is expected to process at least 60,000 tons of hazardous waste annually. He emphasized that the development aligns with Namibia’s Solid Waste Management Strategy and the country’s 6th National Development Plan.

The facility is designed to handle a wide range of hazardous materials including arsenic dust, asbestos, oil and grease, autoclave waste, and drilling cuttings. Waste will be treated to neutralize harmful properties before disposal, while multi-layer geomembrane barriers and leak detection systems will ensure long-term environmental protection.

Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti described the project as a major milestone in safeguarding both the environment and public health. He noted that it was the result of long-standing collaboration between government, the Chamber of Mines, and private sector partners.

French waste management group Séché Environnement, Rent-A-Drum’s holding company, will contribute international expertise to support Namibia’s ecological transition and ensure global best practices are applied.

The facility is also expected to create around 40 permanent jobs, while stimulating local economic activity in the Erongo region. Rent-A-Drum has further committed to community development initiatives, including the Spitzkoppe borehole water desalination plant, which will be funded and maintained for an initial period of ten years.