Windhoek Breaks Ground on Second Waste Buyback Centre with EU Support

Windhoek Breaks Ground on Second Waste Buyback Centre with EU Support. The City of Windhoek, in partnership with the European Union (EU), has begun construction on a second Waste Buyback Centre (WBBC) along Omuvapu Street in Okuryangava, aiming to strengthen the city’s waste management and recycling efforts.

Windhoek Mayor, Cllr Ndeshihafela Larandja, highlighted at the groundbreaking ceremony that the project is supported by a NAD 44 million grant from the EU. The initiative is being implemented under a cooperation agreement between the City of Windhoek and its sister city, Bremen, Germany, to promote sustainable urban waste solutions.

The new facility follows the success of the first WBBC in Katutura, which opened in April 2024 along Hans Dietrich-Genscher Street. Since its establishment, the Katutura centre has purchased recyclable materials from residents using approximately EUR 50,000, successfully diverting over 120 tonnes of waste from the municipal landfill. The project has not only encouraged responsible waste disposal but also provided financial incentives to local residents engaged in recycling activities.

The ceremony featured remarks from Ms Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia, and Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Governor of the Khomas Region, who underscored the importance of community participation in sustainable waste management and the role of international cooperation in enhancing city services.

The Omuvapu Street WBBC is expected to replicate the operational model of the Katutura centre, serving as a hub for residents to sell recyclable materials directly and contributing to broader environmental goals. City officials emphasised that expanding the waste buyback network aligns with Windhoek’s long-term objectives to reduce landfill dependence, improve recycling rates, and promote environmental responsibility across the municipality.