The collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous laboratory chemicals used in schools will soon commence in Western Province, according to a firm contracted by Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). ALSO READ: Rwanda unveils $221m plan for waste management, clean technologies This initiative follows a survey conducted by REMA across 197 secondary schools, which revealed a significant quantity of expired chemicals that could pose a threat to human health or the environment due to toxic, corrosive, flammable, reactive, or infectious properties. ALSO READ: REMA issues warning over illegal importation of hazardous waste Many schools are in possession of outdated or expired chemicals in their laboratories. Pascal Gatete, the Chief Executive Officer of Depot Kalisimbi, a waste management company that also manages Nduba landfill, confirmed that such hazardous waste is currently being collected and incinerated. “In partnership with REMA, we collected chemical waste used in school laboratories in Southern Province, Eastern Province, and Kigali. We are about to complete the exercise in Northern Province and will proceed to Western Province in the coming days,” he said. The survey also revealed that most schools lack proper storage facilities for chemical waste, often shelving expired substances alongside active ones. ALSO READ: Kigali to pilot ‘smart’ waste management system In some instances, chemicals are discarded into septic tanks, posing serious hazards. In the City of Kigali and Southern Province alone, some 46 tonnes of expired chemical waste was collected from 230 secondary schools and Teacher Training Colleges, along with eight higher learning institutions. ALSO READ: A closer look at practices, challenges of waste management All collected waste was incinerated at a facility located in Mageragere Sector. Over the past three years, the incinerator has treated approximately three million kilogrammes of various types of hazardous waste, including medical waste. Ash from waste incineration used to make pavers In 2023, over 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste were also recycled into flexible materials, pavers, and bricks. “The recycled plastics and ash from incinerated hazardous waste help in the manufacture of pavers,” Gatete noted. He added that the first house and road in Rwanda were constructed entirely from these plastic bricks and pavers. ALSO READ: Local investor setting $3m factory to recycle plastic waste into pavers “This initiative marks a key milestone in sustainable engineering, serving as proof of concept for the use of recycled materials in large-scale construction projects. With its success, we plan to scale up the project to extend the use of plastic pavers in other facilities and community roads, further advancing our mission of waste valorisation.” Public urged to support hazardous waste disposal Béatha Akimpaye, Division Manager of the Division in charge of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement at REMA, urged businesses, communities, institutions, and individuals to support the collection and proper disposal of hazardous waste. “For instance, the disposal of condoms is an issue and poses a threat to the environment. They are made of plastic and, like other medical waste, require proper disposal,” she noted. The disposal of medical waste, including condoms, has recently come under scrutiny. Improper disposal contributes to environmental pollution and could pose public health risks. Most condoms are made from latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene—materials that are not biodegradable. When improperly discarded, they often end up in landfills or water bodies, contributing to plastic pollution. Condoms can also carry biological contaminants. In 2022, Rwanda announced an investment of $6.8 million from 2022 to 2027 in managing hazardous chemical waste. The government has set aside Rwf3.9 billion for the management of hazardous waste for 2025/26 fiscal year.
