Government in concerted drive to curb plastic pollution

GOVERNMENT has said it is working on creating a circular economy which reduces, reuses and recycles plastic more sustainably.

This comes as the country joined the rest of the world last week to commemorate World Environment Day which falls on June 5.

In a statement to mark the same event, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi said Government is stepping up efforts to push Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and reuse of plastics.

“Henceforth, my Ministry will work to enhance circularity by promoting more sustainable consumption and production practices across the entire plastic value chain as a key solution in addressing plastic pollution,” said Amb Faranisi.

He urged local authorities to invest in waste management.

“Let me repeat the clarion call by our political leadership to local authorities to expedite investments and improve waste management systems. We urgently need appropriate infrastructure that receives and process plastic waste and ensure its reuse. There is also a need for local authorities to engage consumers and other key stakeholders in addressing plastic pollution to influence the market and to inspire behavioural change,” he said.

Amb Faranisi applauded Development Partners, Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders for their sterling efforts towards environmental protection and encouraged them to do more to ensure a sustainable and health environment.

In a separate statement, UNICEF representative in Zimbabwe Dr Tajudeen Oyewale said there is a need to put children at the centre of the climate and environmental pollution agenda as well as recognize them as agents of change to the pollution crisis.

Dr Oyewale said children are the most vulnerable when it comes to climate change and environmental degradation.

He said climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss has created a planetary crisis and children are on the front lines.

“Children are physiologically more vulnerable. Toxic substances such as micro-plastics, lead and other forms of pollution, affect children more than adults, even at lower doses of exposure. In this regard we need to put children at the centre of the climate and environmental pollution agenda as well as recognize them as agents of change to the pollution crisis,” he said.

Dr Oyewale said innovative solutions brought forward by children and young people to plastic pollution are critical and should be prioritised.

“This was witnessed at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) when UNICEF partnered with Boost Fellowship to host a Youth Innovation Challenge where young people pitched innovative ideas that promote reduction of plastic pollution. One exciting innovation was the “Chigubhu Lantern”, a unique circular economy innovation. Made primarily from electronic and plastic waste and solar-powered, the lantern provides lighting to students in marginalised communities,” he said.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry recently highlighted that every child in Zimbabwe, 43 percent of the population or 6,6 million under 18, is exposed to at least one climate or environmental hazard and is at risk of climate change impacts such as flooding, drought, heatwaves, cyclones, air, land and water pollution.

“To this end, the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and UNICEF, recently launched Clean Green Zimbabwe, an initiative to strengthen climate resilience and environmental management by moulding children and young people to be environmental stewards and mobilise collective actions in schools and communities. It aims to establish clean green schools, communities and urban spaces with climate resilient WASH, health, education services, practical learning spaces, clean energy and integrated waste management,” said Dr Oyewale.

In Zimbabwe, only 10% of the waste generated is being recycled and this calls for more efforts to increase the recycled volumes.