Webster University Ghana Leads Environmental Initiative with Waste Segregation and Composting Movement

By Zaahida Abdul-Wahid

East Legon, Accra – Wednesday, December 13, 2023: In a bid to promote environmental sustainability and community involvement, Webster University Ghana’s Waste Segregation and Composting Movement, spearheaded by the Ghana Campus Director Christa E. Sanders, held discussions today with student representatives from the African University College of Communications (AUCC), Accra Technical University (ATU), several environmentalists, and Zoom Lion Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant IRCOP.

The gathering aimed to explore a universal, low-tech, high-impact intervention that requires no advanced degree, allowing communities to manage their waste through education and training. The event, hosted on the Webster University Ghana campus in East Legon, Accra, served as a platform to share insights and experiences on waste segregation and composting initiatives.

Mrs. Christa E. Sanders revealed that the movement’s inception occurred two years ago, driven by a vision of addressing environmental sustainability and waste segregation. The initiative also sought to establish a community garden, inspired by Mrs. Sanders’ observations of community gardens in the United States. The community garden not only serves as a model but also as a testing ground for environmental education.

“We are pleased that a number of institutions we have partnered with are now considering community gardens. Webster University Ghana students, staff and faculty have benefitted enormously from the ‘Webster Goes Green campaign’ and have witnessed how to segregate and compost waste through demonstrations in the garden,” she explained.

She emphasized the importance of teaching students about waste segregation, drawing parallels with countries like Rwanda, where the absence of plastic in the environment has been a notable success. As part of their campaign, Webster University has banned the use of plastics on campus, opting for reusable, biodegradable cups and providing each student with a reusable drinking bottle.

“It is not easy for any institution to drive such an initiative but with ‘baby steps,’ anything is possible. It is really about behavioral change and ensuring students understand how a campaign that includes no plastics and segregation of waste, ultimately, serves as a model for local communities in Greater Accra and elsewhere. Not only does it beautify the immediate environments but further helps salvage our oceans, water bodies and prevents surrounding gutters from being clogged, ultimately, providing hygienic conditions for all.”

Christian Aduamoah, the Head of Finance at Webster University Ghana explained the low-tech waste segregation and composting methods, which result in creating natural fertilizers for the community garden. He said the campus has also partnered with Environment 360 for recycling mechanisms.

“The idea has been to go green, and the first step was to stop students from using plastics on campus. The next step was to set up the garden, and the idea was to try to use some of the waste to feed the garden as natural fertilizers.”

During a tour of the campus, environmentalist Malik Ereira, who facilitated the event, showcased the various measures in place, from flyers advocating against plastic use to segregated bins for plastics, cans, and paper. The green garden, boasting vegetables like lemongrass, mint, okra, and garden eggs, stands as a testament to the success of the initiative.

Director Christa Sanders expressed her pride in the community’s active involvement, highlighting moments when community members participated in garden activities, and some Webster staff began consuming produce from the garden.

Makafui Daniels, the AUCC SRC Welfare Officer, who attended the event with SRC president Prosper Adjei and SRC External Affairs Officer Vincent Anane, said the meeting has sharpened plans to make the AUCC campus plastic-free. She emphasized the need for gradual change, starting with educating students, creating awareness, and implementing initiatives such as separate bins for plastics and edibles.

“What we can do for the school and the community at large…is not a one-day activity or a one-day program. It will take steps; it will take initiatives from management, and it will take creating awareness amongst the students.”

The collaborative efforts of Webster University Ghana and its partner institutions signal a collective commitment to environmental stewardship, setting an example for campuses nationwide.