By CATHERINE SAKALA –
A stroll in any compound of Kabwe never makes one miss the sight of mountains of garbage lying all over in the townships.
Flies and all manner of insects on rotting decomposed garbage easily catch one’s eye and the foul offensive smell taints the air.
The uncollected garbage is not only an eyesore but if left unchecked, poses a health hazard which could quickly lead to the outbreak of diseases especially that the rainy season has started.
The disposal of garbage in undesignated places has become a habit despite several community sensitization activities on the need to dispose of garbage in a proper manner.
However, this scenario is not only peculiar to Central Province.
Other towns are equally affected by the mushrooming of illegal dump sites.
Whilst it is the primary role of councils to manage waste, the lack of waste management facilities and motor vehicles for the collection and disposal of waste has been identified as a major challenge across the country.
Although councils and other stakeholders continue putting in place punitive and correctional measures to address the situation, waste management still remains a crisis in most parts of the country.
In Kabwe, the municipality is grappling with the challenges of waste management.
Evidently, the presence of garbage at almost every street corner, in empty spaces meant for buildings and residences has increased.
Slowly, garbage is becoming a common feature in the cosmopolitan town of Kabwe.
By definition, waste management is the way people get rid of waste materials or unwanted substances such as empty bottles, plastics, paper, scrap metal, old clothes, finished car batteries, among others.
The core value of waste management is to protect human life from diseases acquired by poor sanitation and pollution of air and water, and to protect the environment.
The three major components in waste management are collection, transportation and disposal.
However, due to the rapid growth of Kabwe, the council is unable to cope with the increasing demand for waste management services which, in the long run, has resulted in confusion in the manner garbage is disposed of.
Kabwe Municipal Council Acting Town Clerk Paul Mukuka says in a quest to manage waste, the council has decided engage all the local people.
Mr Mukuka explained that there is need to bring back the culture of good sanitation.
He observed that the participation of everyone is key.
He further stated that the council lacked capacity to carry out the collection, transportation and disposal of garbage.
He said the council had, in addition to its efforts, engaged the private sector to get involved in waste management.
“We have inadequate facilities; we can only manage 30 per cent of the waste and we have called on Government to supply us with some vehicles,” he said.
Mr Mukuka said public sensitization on radio about waste management has intensified and everyone is expected to participate.
He said cleanliness starts at household level.
He said if local people were encouraged to manage waste at household level, the country has a chance to form an industrial cluster which will bring about economic development.
The civic leader has called on recycling companies to get involved and help add economic value to the waste once it is collected.
Godmak Forwarders, a company engaged by the council to collect garbage in one of Africa’s largest townships – Makululu Township – has expressed concern of the amount of illegal dump sites in Kabwe.
Godmak Forwarders Director Daniel Phiri said his company charges garbage collection fees ranging from K5 to K50 per month.
Mr Phiri encouraged communities to embrace waste management because it helps in keeping the environment clean and free from health hazards such as cholera.
Ronica Manu, a Mwalala Township resident said she does not depend on the council for waste management but rather opts to bury and burn the garbage.
She said it was much easier for her to bury or burn the waste as it does not attract any cost.
Many residents in Kabwe are undoubtedly aware of the presence of uncollected waste on roads, in empty plots and at residences.
The people are equally aware about the impact waste can cause if it is not addressed.
In order to improve the situation, Government and other stakeholders need to come together and look at sustainable ways of waste management, such as recycling, and suitable waste management systems for the people, especially at household level.
In Africa today, recycling companies are growing at a fast pace and save as an alternative to other forms of waste management.
Countries across the global have changed the way they perceived waste materials and now look at waste management as an economic venture which could bring about development, especially in job creation.
With advancements in science and technology, waste, such as cans, items of glass, paper and plastics are crushed and then used in factories to make new products such as aluminum pots, car batteries, polythene products and many more.
In Kabwe, Zinc Aluminum Copper and Ore Company (ZALCO), a recycling company that has been in existence for more than 12 years and has several branches across the country, is willing to partner with the local authorities and find viable means of waste management which could promote recycling in the country.
ZALCO claims it is ready to move in and remove the dirt on the streets of Kabwe and turn it into recycled products when called upon.
ZALCO Director Hussein Safieddine, said promoting recycling in the country will help tackle environmental risks and create employment for local people.
“It has been challenging and sometimes frustrating because the council has not approached us on how best we can be helped; they have not really opened any doors for us,” he said.
Mr Safieddine explained that ZALCO is the first multi-recycling company in Zambia.
It deals in manufacturing paper, batteries, copper, aluminum and bronze.
The company has since called on local authorities to help it work with the community.
If Zambia is to embraces the recycling culture, the trend can not only provide jobs and help safeguard the environment, but also lead to a reduction in imports and promote local production as well as entrepreneurship especially among the youths as is the case in some countries.
Recycling can also reduce the threat of diseases acquired by poor sanitation and pollution of air and water.
Once a viable community based recycling system is in place, waste management has the potential to generate revenue and contribute to national development.- ZANIS.