Bin donation to strengthen Gwanda’s waste management efforts

By Jonah B Moyo

A recent bin donation from Tshukela Investments to the Municipality of Gwanda has been welcomed as a positive step toward improving waste management, reducing litter, and promoting public health in the town.

Gwanda’s persistent litter problem, previously worsened by a scarcity of waste disposal bins, is set to improve with the recent addition of 10 new bins.

The town’s streets were often marred by carelessly discarded food waste, plastics, and other items, posing health risks to vendors and residents alike. The lack of adequate waste management infrastructure allowed dirt and filth to accumulate, potentially spreading diseases through contaminated food and contact with polluted surfaces.

In an interview, Casper Moyo, a resident of Spitzkop Township, hailed the new swing bins in Gwanda as a transformative development for the town.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tshukela Investments for their generosity and commitment to our community. Their donation of swing bins will be a game-changer for our town’s cleanliness, and we appreciate their dedication to improving our environment.

“The scarcity of bins in our town previously made waste disposal a challenge, requiring long walks to find a receptacle. However, with the introduction of these new bins, residents will now have easier access to waste disposal facilities, making it more convenient for everyone,” he said.

Fungai Mutowo added that residents should throw their litter into bins not streets.

“I urge my fellow residents to make a conscious effort to dispose of litter in bins, so we can maintain our town’s cleanliness and reputation as one of the cleanest towns in the province.

“By disposing of waste properly in bins, we can significantly reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and infections. Dirty environments can harbor diseases, and our town’s cleaners face heartbreaking conditions daily. Let’s protect ourselves and our loved ones by using bins, ensuring a safer and healthier community for all,” she said.

Angelina Ndlovu, Director of Phakama Waste Recycling Management Company said the bins will make work easier for waste pickers.

“We have waste pickers and health clubs that collect recyclable materials, and with the new bins, they will be able to efficiently sort and collect waste, reducing the amount sent to dumpsites. This initiative promotes sustainability and responsible waste management in our community.

“We kindly request that the public dispose of plastics, cans, and other recyclable materials in the bins, enabling waste pickers to earn a decent living for their families,” she said.

Gwanda Town Clerk, Priscilla Nkala, highlighted that the bins are the pushers of a cleaner and sustainable future.

“We are grateful for your support in donating swinging solid waste management bins as we are taking significant strides towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. These bins are not just containers; they represent our collective effort to manage waste responsibly and efficiently.

“We are now better equipped to educate our residents on proper waste disposal and recycling practices. Together, we are fostering a culture of environmental stewardship that will benefit not only our current residents but also future generations,” she said appreciating the donations from Tshukela investments.

She also urged the public to stop vandalizing infrastructure.

“We had bins in town and people took them to their homes and started using them for water purposes, and some of the bins will be from mines and will be previously used at mines chemicals and they would cause health problems when people use them for water purposes, we plead with the public to keep these bins intact no to vandalism,” Town Clerk said.

In her address, she also expressed gratitude over Mercy Corps’ pivotal role in waste recycling initiatives, highlighting their support for local Community Health Clubs and the Phakama Waste Collection and Recycling Centre. She noted that this assistance is crucial in helping the Council implement programs for separating recyclables and organic waste at the source, as well as establishing facilities for processing recyclables and composting organic materials.