Published: April 1, 2026
MONROVIA – Liberia’s mounting waste management crisis took center stage Tuesday as policymakers and stakeholders called for urgent reforms, warning that weak infrastructure, limited funding and fragmented systems are pushing the country toward an environmental and public health emergency.
The concerns were raised at a High-Level Stakeholders’ Meeting on Liberia’s Sustainable Waste Management Approach, convened by Champions for Change on March 31 at the Boulevard Palace Hotel in Monrovia.
The summit spotlighted critical gaps in the sector, including the lack of operational transfer stations, weak regulatory enforcement and limited community engagement, with participants stressing the need for immediate, coordinated action.
Speakers highlighted the importance of expanding and strengthening waste facilities such as those at Fiamma and Stockton to handle daily waste volumes more efficiently.
The meeting also focused on building capacity in two pilot cities, conducting feasibility studies and baseline audits for evidence-based planning, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and developing a national Waste Management Action Plan aligned with Liberia’s climate commitments and Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12.
Louis Kuukpen, deputy resident representative programme at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), emphasized the need for a modern, coordinated and fully empowered waste management system.
“This means strengthening national legislation, modernizing regulatory frameworks, enforcing compliance with municipal ordinances, clarifying institutional mandates, enhancing coordination among ministries, agencies, and local governments, and promoting robust and sustained public awareness on waste management,” he said.
Kuukpen stressed that waste management is central to Liberia’s development agenda and can unlock economic opportunities.
“A modern, well-coordinated waste management system can unlock economic opportunities, create dignified jobs—especially for youth and women—and significantly reduce the financial burden of environmental cleanup and preventable public health challenges,” he added.
He noted that no single institution can address the issue alone.
“Government provides the policy backbone; municipalities mobilize communities and deliver essential services; the private sector brings innovation, technology, and scalable business models; civil society drives awareness and behavior change; academia offers research and evidence; and development partners support capacity building and investment. Today’s meeting represents the level of collaboration needed to shift Liberia from fragmented efforts to a unified national strategy,” Kuukpen said.
Stephen L. Dahn, director of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), painted a stark picture of the capital’s waste burden.
“These stations serve communities that make up roughly 60% of Monrovia’s population, with MCC transporting waste from the stations to final disposal sites during the night,” Dahn said.
He noted that the city relies on two main transfer stations—Fairmount and Stirling Creek—with a combined capacity of 200 tons per day, far below the estimated 9,200 tons of daily waste generated across Monrovia and surrounding townships.
Dahn also highlighted severe funding constraints, noting that MCC’s 2020 waste management budget stood at just $1 million—about 90 cents per resident.
“We strongly encourage privatization of waste management services to bridge this gap,” he said.
He added that five recycling facilities are currently operating in and around Monrovia, including initiatives converting waste into fuel and other products.
“We aim to further support these efforts, in partnership with organizations like Conservation International and African Development entities, to ensure that waste is transformed into economic opportunities, empowering communities while improving environmental sustainability,” Dahn added.
Dweh Siehwioh Boley Sr., deputy executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), described the situation in stark terms, calling Liberia’s waste management conditions a “national disgrace.”
“We must get serious about it. This is our daily work. We are running out of time. We are running out of space. It is important to note that we are regulators, not implementers, and our role is to write protocols and policies to guide proper waste management practices. Yet, despite our work, fundamental problems persist,” Boley said.
He warned that indiscriminate dumping in swamps and wetlands is threatening critical ecosystems, while communities such as Rehab, Brewerville and Wendtown lack proper disposal facilities.
“Currently, waste is being dumped in swamps and wetlands, threatening essential ecosystems. Residents in areas like Rehab, Brewerville, and Wendtown have no proper disposal sites, and this is unacceptable,” he said.
Boley stressed that at least three sustainable waste management facilities are needed in the metropolitan area and underscored the economic potential of the sector.
“Recycling and waste-to-value initiatives can generate jobs, income, and support a circular economy,” he said.
He also raised alarm over specific sites, including Center Street and Providence Island, where improper waste disposal is posing environmental risks.
“This must be prevented. We cannot ignore international criticism. A European diplomat once remarked that Monrovia is dirty, and this is a serious concern. We take it very seriously. The state of our city reflects on all of us, and it is time to take decisive action,” Boley added.
Closing the discussion, Boley urged a national shift from fragmented efforts to a structured, sustainable system.
“We must commit to transforming waste management—from fragmented, unsustainable practices to a system that is regulated, efficient, environmentally responsible, and economical,” he said.
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