Waste management approach hailed

Sibongile Dube.

HWANGE- At source waste segregation  is one of the best ways of protecting the environment and ensuring that value is derived from waste, a Hwange district official has said.

Air and water pollution can easily be reduced when hazardous waste is separated and treated separately.

Speaking during a Clean-up exercise held to celebrate World Environment Day at the Hwange Power Station’s Ingagula Stadium, the Acting Hwange District Development Coordinator Simbarashe Kayela applauded the efforts of Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) towards  protecting the environment.

“It is very encouraging to see that ZPC Hwange is implementing best practices on waste management. This sorting and separation of waste types at source facilitates recycling, reduction of waste and ensuring that we derive value from the waste…let us segregate waste because it is a smart way of preserving the earth,” he said.

Kayela implored Ingagula residents to ensure the safety of contemporary and future generations by maintaining a clean environment.“Let us make sure our planet becomes habitable for both the current and  future generations. This earth we are living in is not ours. We will be leaving it to our grandchildren. Let’s make sure that we protect it for the sake of generations to come,” he said.

This year’s theme for World Environment Day  is ‘Only one earth.’

Meanwhile, Chief Hwange expressed concern over the deforestation caused by illegal charcoal production in Hwange district.

“Our trees are being cut by these wood poachers and our forests are turning in to deserts….Trucks come overnight to ferry charcoal and wood to Harare and Bulawayo. This should stop,” said the Chief as he appealed for stiffer penalties against perpetrators who are poaching for firewood.

A mass clean up exercise sponsored by  ZPC Hwange kickstarted the day before a tour of the environmental exhibition stands at the stadium where stakeholders such as Green Shango, Environmental Management Agency ,Forestry Commission and Zimparks showcased their services and products.