The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has made significant progress in safeguarding public health and the environment by removing more than 5.5 tons of dangerous chemicals from over 100 schools and health institutions as of July 2025. These chemicals, some stored improperly and aged over decades, posed serious risks to students, staff, and the surrounding environment.
This milestone was highlighted during discussions between REMA’s Director General, Juliet Kabera, and the Parliamentary Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock, and Environment on October 21, 2025. They reviewed the challenges faced in implementing Rwanda’s National Environment and Climate Change Policy of 2019.
Juliet Kabera explained that although concerns about hazardous chemical waste in schools and healthcare settings have been raised for some time, coordinated removal efforts only began recently after thorough assessments were conducted. These assessments identified the types and quantities of chemicals present, and the potential health hazards they posed.
From secondary schools and universities to hospitals, REMA’s cleanup targeted chemicals that were stored in ways that endangered human health and polluted soil and water resources. In some cases, chemicals had been improperly discarded in pits, continuing to contaminate the environment due to their persistent nature.
Kabera noted that some of the chemicals removed had been stored in laboratories for over 50 years. She emphasized the importance of this cleanup as a preventive measure to avoid further exposure and environmental damage.
The removed chemical waste is currently being stored temporarily at a facility under construction, as some require careful handling and cannot be destroyed immediately. Disposal is being managed through incineration at a facility in Mageragere, with costs covered per kilogram of waste processed.
Beyond schools, REMA is also addressing expired agricultural chemicals and mercury-containing thermometers found in healthcare facilities. The agency is collaborating with private sector partners to explore sustainable ways to manage and possibly recycle certain chemical wastes.
The initiative also highlights the need for better regulation of chemical supplies to schools, as some suppliers deliver excess quantities or unnecessary chemicals, leading to waste and safety risks.
To strengthen oversight, REMA is implementing a tracking system in partnership with Rwanda Revenue Authority to monitor all chemicals imported into the country, ensuring accountability and reducing the likelihood of stockpiling hazardous substances.
This proactive approach by REMA represents a significant step towards protecting Rwanda’s environment and public health by responsibly managing chemical risks in sensitive institutions.
