Chronicle Editor
Ashley Phiri, [email protected]
THE Youths for Innovation Trust has proudly unveiled two innovative mobile applications under its Digital and Green Bulawayo project. The green apps are aimed at making Bulawayo a greener, more sustainable city.
The launch event, held on Thursday at the National Art Gallery, was graced by local dignitaries, including Councillor Dumisani Nkomo, who represented the Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, and a host of environmental enthusiasts.
The spotlight was on RecycleMate and GreenUp, two apps designed to empower residents and businesses to combat climate change. Thanks to a generous grant of USD $50 000 from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Fund, which the council split into micro-grants under the Youth Climate Action Fund earlier this year, the initiative promises to bring fresh ideas and tools to Bulawayo.
RecycleMate is like having a recycling expert right in your pocket. The app boasts an extensive database of recycling plants throughout Bulawayo, making it easy for users to find the best places to drop off their recyclable materials. That’s not all; with fun DIY project suggestions tailored to specific types of waste, users can transform old items into something new and useful. Got an old computer or tangled cables? Just tap on the app for advice on how to recycle them responsibly.
“What really caught my eye with this app is that in addition to giving advice on how and where to do recycling, it offers DIY tips. I’m especially excited about digital recycling because there are so many interesting things one can make, like tables from old computers and portraits from old cables. These are items we never really know how to dispose of responsibly,” said Thando Gwinji, Youths for Innovation Trust Consultant.
While GreenUp is still in the wings waiting for final touch-ups, its mission is already clear: to help Bulawayo go paperless and reduce the carbon footprint. Imagine a world where restaurants use QR codes instead of menus, and schools maintain digital registers. GreenUp will guide businesses through this transformation, suggesting smart and eco-friendly ways to reduce paper usage. By entering information about their current practices, businesses will receive tailored tips on cutting down their carbon footprints. It’s a win-win for the environment and efficiency.
“This application works by communicating with the user. What happens is that the app will ask certain questions in order to find solutions for the user on how they can reduce the amount of paper they use. It will then place them between the red, amber, and green zones and suggest tailor-made solutions for that specific user,” said one of GreenUp’s developers.
In a speech read on his behalf by Councillor Nkomo, Coltart expressed his gratitude to Bloomberg Philanthropies for empowering young people to develop sustainable projects that combat climate change.
“As we hold this launch, it is important that we remember to give appreciation to Michael Bloomberg, the UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and 108th Mayor of New York City, and his team from Bloomberg Philanthropies . . . Today, we celebrate the hard work and creativity of our youth. These applications showcase how technology can drive positive change and help us tackle the challenges we face daily,” he said.
He stressed that RecycleMate and GreenUp are more than just apps but tools for empowerment and encouraged all individuals to engage actively in reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Ashanti Tembo, the dynamic team lead behind the Digital and Green project, echoed this sentiment.
“Together, these applications embody our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Bulawayo. They are not just technological solutions; they are catalysts for change, encouraging collaboration and innovation among our local businesses. By embracing these digital alternatives, we can collectively work towards a paperless environment, reduce waste, and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” she said.
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