adminCreating a clean, safe and healthy environment is possible, especially if all stakeholders come on board and play their part towards this worthy cause. A clean environment has high aesthetic value, provides various environmental benefits and is free from diseases. Such an environment is achievable through concerted effort.
Who can do what? Corporates
Adopt the cradle to the grave principle, which refers to the responsibility a company takes for the entire life cycle of a product, service or program, from design to disposal or termination.
Ensure there are sufficient waste receptacles servicing your premises.
Maintain the frontage, back corridors and sanitary lanes of you work premises clean at all times.
As part of your Corporate Social Responsibility, you can donate branded bins to Local Authorities.
This will serve a dual purpose; it acts as a way of advertising and at the same time assists in the provision of bins.
Organise regular clean ups to keep shopping centres, business premises and working areas clean and attractive to customers.
Set up cages to collect recyclable cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles etc. Sell all recyclable material to recycling companies.
Food outlets should sell their food leftovers to piggeries or individuals with pets.
‘Adopt’ zones in your city/town and maintain it clean on a regular basis. The zone can be a street, round about, island, business/shopping centre and bus termini. Approach your Local Authority on the adoption of zones.
Corporates should have waste management plans and policies to ensure sustainable waste management at their workplaces and also in the business value chain.
Small and Medium Enterprises
A clean, safe and healthy environment needs public participation. Every sector, including SMEs, has a role to play in waste management and the following is expected.
Distribute legally acceptable plastic carrier bags and also provide shopping bags as alternatives.
Declare how you are dealing with the waste of your imported goods
Consider alternatives for fast food packs rather than Kaylites.
Desist form the use of posters and flyers to advertise your businesses, rather opt for the use of electronic media such as tv, radio, Facebook etc.
Residents
Form community based organizations (CBOs) and regularly clean up residential frontage, backyards and streets in your area.
Separate your waste into biodegradable, plastic bottles (PEPs) and metal cans.
Compost all material that is biodegradable. Use the manure for your vegetable gardens.
Avoid burning waste, the fumes may cause cancer.
Avoid dumping of waste.
Schools, Colleges & Universities
Form environmental groups to spearhead clean-up of institutional frontage and roads leading to these institutions and back corridors and sanitary lanes.
Adopt areas/zones for clean-up and enhance the school and the community relationships.
Set up cages to collect plastics, glass, cans for pupils.
Collect recyclables at home and bring to school on a set day.
Local Authorities
Have a known waste collection schedule that you adhere to.
Ensure there are sufficient waste bins in urban and business centres.
Establish waste transfer centres for the ease of waste collection, sorting and recycling.
Develop Communication and education platforms for your areas.
Develop waste management plans and implement them.
Every Local Authority should have a properly lined landfill where waste is disposed of.
Do not litter. The difference you make is real.
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