Bafoussam is trying to turn plastic waste into both a raw material and a source of income. Since February 27, 2026, the city has paid residents CFA60 ($0.11) per kilogram of plastic they collect as part of a strategy to improve urban sanitation while laying the foundation for a local recycling industry.
The policy was presented on July 14 during a forum organized by the Bafoussam Urban Council under the theme, "Waste Management in the West Region: A Driver of Sustainable Economic Development and Job Creation." The event, chaired by Joseph Mbatonga, the West Region governor's representative, brought together local governments, public agencies, businesses, development partners and youth organizations.
The city wants to give market value to plastic waste that has long accumulated in streets, markets, drainage channels and waterways. By paying collectors directly, municipal officials hope to increase the amount of plastic recovered while supporting new businesses involved in collection, sorting, transport and recycling.
"Our objectives are a cleaner and healthier city, citizens who actively protect the environment, and an additional source of income that is accessible to everyone," the municipality said.
A Simple Source of Income, but Limited Earnings
At CFA60 per kilogram, collecting 100 kilograms of plastic generates CFA6,000 ($11) in gross income, while one metric ton earns CFA60,000 ($109). The program could provide households, young people and informal waste pickers with supplemental income, provided they collect enough material and transport and storage costs do not significantly reduce their earnings.
Beyond the purchase price, however, the initiative's economic viability will depend on the city's ability to organize the rest of the value chain. The collected plastic must be sorted, stored, transported and processed before it can reenter manufacturing. Without stable industrial buyers, the program could simply shift plastic waste from public spaces to overloaded storage sites.
The initiative nevertheless creates opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses involved in waste recovery, shredding, recycling and the production of goods made from recycled plastic. It could also benefit transport operators, community organizations and neighborhood waste collection services.
Cameroon Generates Nearly 600,000 Tons of Plastic Waste Each Year
Bafoussam's initiative comes as Cameroon continues to struggle with plastic pollution despite a ban on thin, non-biodegradable plastic packaging. Such products remain widely available, highlighting the limits of enforcement.
According to figures attributed to the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Cameroon generates nearly 600,000 metric tons of plastic waste each year, or about 10% of all municipal waste. Only about 20% of that volume is recycled.
The low recycling rate has direct consequences for local governments, including blocked drainage systems, polluted waterways, ecosystem degradation and higher flood risks. It also increases public spending on street cleaning and drainage maintenance.
The national government has introduced a strategy to combat plastic pollution through regulations and enforcement actions. Bafoussam has chosen a different approach by combining financial incentives with regulation.
Turning an Environmental Problem Into a Local Market
By creating demand for used plastic, the city hopes to develop a local recovery market. Rather than treating waste solely as a disposal problem, municipal authorities see it as a resource that can support productive economic activity.
The circular economy approach could reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, lower municipal cleaning costs and create low- and semi-skilled jobs. It could also support local production of paving stones, construction materials, containers and other recycled plastic products, provided the necessary technology and investment become available.
Officials at the July 14 forum presented waste recovery as a tool for local economic development. They believe the sector can help diversify Bafoussam's economy, attract private investors and create new income opportunities for residents.
The Challenge of Scaling Up
The program's long-term success will depend on several factors, including reliable funding for waste purchases, accessible collection points, participation from recyclers, traceability of recovered volumes and stable end markets for recycled materials. The city will also need to track key performance indicators, including the amount of plastic collected, the number of participants, income distributed, jobs created and the volume of material actually recycled.
By assigning market value to plastic waste, Bafoussam is testing a local solution to a national environmental challenge. The next step will be to show that the initiative can evolve from a collection program into a structured and economically viable recycling industry.
Patricia Ngo Ngouem