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THIS article endeavours to inform the public about the national recycling colour codes for Zimbabwe. The colour codes will identify the different recyclables in the country mainly paper, plastic, cans, glass, and biodegradable waste.
Internationally, there are no standard colours for the different recyclables.
Neither is there any special meaning for these colours.
As such, each country has its own colour coding for the recyclables as a way of promoting recycling.
Recycling colour codes have been seen as an effective way of promoting waste separation and recycling
Recycling and colour codes
Recycling is identified as one of the best ways of managing waste internationally.
Waste separation at source helps in ensuring that the collection of recyclables is hassle-free.
As such, different colour codes such as blue, green, red, black, yellow, and many others have been widely used internationally to classify the different waste recyclables.
Colour coding of bins helps both in the process of segregation and in the collection of waste. Residents are made aware that all plastic waste goes into the green bin, paper/cardboard into the yellow bin, cans/tins into the blue bin, glass in the red bin and biodegradables into the black or grey bin.
Even children, elderly people and semi-literate people are able to associate the nature of waste with the given colour and dispose it accordingly.
Similarly colour coding helps save time in the waste collection process.
The house keeping staff does not have to verify the contents of each bin before emptying in the appropriate bag/bin.
Purpose
The aim purpose of this article is to spearhead the idea of waste separation which would make it easier for the general public to put their wastes in specific bins identifiable by their unique colour codes.
The lack of standard colours for recyclables results in random colours being used in the country which would ultimately create confusion to the general public.
In addition, once people have internalised the standard colours, the identified colour codes would make it easier to establish waste collection and recycling units around the country.
Environmental Facts, Tips and Updates are published weekly by the Environmental Management Agency. Send your feedback to; [email protected] or visit our website www.ema.co.zw. We are ready to listen.
derick.khumalo