Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
ENVIRONMENT Patron, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, has called for a shift towards a zero-waste culture and a circular economy as the country joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Clean-up Day in Mbare, Harare, yesterday.
The commemorations, held under the theme, “From clean plates to clean cities”, brought together communities, businesses and public institutions to promote collective responsibility in waste management.
Dr Mnangagwa, who was represented by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, said sustainable waste management required behavioural change and collective action.
She said the theme was particularly relevant to Zimbabwe, where organic waste constituted a significant proportion of waste generated daily.
“Organic food waste from our kitchens, street vendors and bustling hubs like Mbare Musika accounts for a massive portion of our daily waste stream,” said the First Lady.
She explained that such waste could be converted into valuable resources through composting, organic recovery and biogas production.
“When managed with intent, it becomes the ultimate foundation for urban agriculture through composting and organic recovery, as well as renewable energy in the form of biogas,” said Dr Mnangagwa.
She said Zimbabwe needed to move away from the “use-and-throw” mentality and embrace a circular economy based on reducing, reusing and recycling.
“Waste is only ‘trash’ if we fail to harness its value,” said Dr Mnangagwa.
Stronger recycling value chains could create income-generating opportunities while reducing environmental pollution, added the First Lady.
She said the National Development Strategy 2 provided for the transition towards a circular economy, including measures to strengthen recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives.
The First Lady cited the Geo Pomona Waste Management initiative as an example of how public-private partnerships could be used to transform waste management and recover value from waste.
She called on local authorities to invest in reliable waste collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure, while urging industry and commerce to take greater responsibility for the packaging they produce.
Schools and young people were rallied to champion environmental responsibility in their homes and communities.
“Just as we rehabilitate our youth to give them a second chance at life, let us rehabilitate our land, our markets and our neighbourhoods,” she said.
On Operation Chenesa Harare, Dr Mnangagwa encouraged young entrepreneurs to use designated vending areas and comply with local authority by-laws.
She challenged communities to take ownership of cleanliness and shun littering.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Senator Charles Tavengwa said collective efforts were essential in protecting the environment.
He reaffirmed the province’s commitment to supporting the First Lady’s initiatives promoting environmental health and cleanliness.
Earlier, Minister Garwe led a delegation in a clean-up exercise around the Engen area, where he participated in picking up litter and sweeping the streets.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, Government officials, private-sector representatives, community members and other stakeholders attended the event.
Peter Tanyanyiwa