Adopt waste disposal strategies communities urged

Valencia Ndhlovu, Sunday News Reporter

COMMUNITIES should make it a habit to keep their areas clean through adopting environmentally smart strategies that                mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, Colonel (Rtd) Tshinga Dube has said.

Speaking at a function organised recently by Sisonke Working Together Trust in conjunction with the Environmental Management  Agency (EMA) meant to raise climate  change and environmental management awareness in Mzilikazi suburb, Col (Rtd) Dube said it was important for residents to know the value of preserving their surroundings.

He said improper waste disposal, blocked sewer systems and burning of waste was  one of the major causes of climate change and urged the communities to work together to come up with strategies of waste disposal.

Ward 8 councillor Edwin Ndlovu called for combined efforts to curb the issue of poor waste management.

“Mitigation and adaptation efforts need to be combined appropriately and linked  with the sustainable development of communities. 

“However, integrating these different approaches can result in conflicts, which need to be managed by carefully planning for alternative solutions, prioritising those that are cost-effective and minimise negative consequences, and enhancing local government’s leadership,” he said.

Mr Themba Phiri the director of Sisonke Working Together Trust said the programmes where they were conscientising communities on climate change and environmentally friendly policies were going to spread around the city.

“We want to spread this programme so that it covers the whole of Bulawayo and for it to become a national programme, that is why we are working with EMA and Greenheart calling everyone out so that we work towards curbing the issue of environmental degradation.”

He said the strategies that were going to be employed included forming climate change committees.

“The committees will engage in peer-to-peer education so they can inform others about the dangers of climate change and also how to dispose of waste so that Bulawayo can go back to being one of the cleanest cities in Zimbabwe,” he said.

The Sisonke Working Together Trust was established in 2018 and works towards spreading awareness on climate change and environmental health issues. 

The organisation also has piloted a programme which teaches children about climate change and how to spread awareness in their  communities.