Plastic Containers in Zimbabwe Save the Day Economically

Demand has soared, partly
as result of irregular fuel supplies. Consumers facing water shortages also
fill the containers when the liquid is available, ensuring they have some
stored for later use. The second-hand trade in plastic containers has boomed
in direct correlation to increasing fuel shortages. Lack of petrol forces
motorists to keep at least one or two containers handy for storage purposes.
But motorists aren’t the only ones hoarding the items. Consumers desperate
to avoid water shortages also hang onto the containers. They fill up as many
of the Chigubus as possible when water is available, ensuring they have a
back-up supply when taps run dry. A pensioner who lives in the suburb of
Glen Lorne says she keeps more than a dozen containers filled at all times,
as the area sometimes has no water for weeks on end, “I keep Chigubus in my
house is because there’s inadequate water. Water comes once in a while and
I’m a pensioner and I can not carry twenty five litres of water so I have
them all is five litre Chigubus and I have 16 or 18 in my house and I make
sure I always have water on hand.”                            Innovative entrepreneurs have turned this skyrocketing need into a thriving
business. Many now make a living by selling containers of all sizes, shapes
and colors at exorbitant rates. One major container outlet is situated at
the Mbare market. A 20-litre container costs from nine to 25-million
Zimbabwe dollars. Others sell the containers on the side of suburban roads
or highways. One vendor who introduced himself only as Tafadzwa says he
considers himself a Chigubu dealer. Standing under a blue umbrella, his
informal outlet is situated on Lomagundi road next to a bus stop. He says,
“There is a very big demand for all types of containers. We are selling
everyday. I myself am running short ads. It’s becoming expensive to find the
Chigubu’s. Even at the market the prices are changing all the time. But it’s
a good business. At least I am not unemployed. I can make some money because
I am selling to the people in the suburbs so I get good prices.” Traveling
around Harare it’s hard not to see someone carrying either a two, five or 20
litre container. Also plastic buckets are becoming increasingly popular.
Residents say they prefer storing food supplies – such as maize meal, rice,
sugar and flour – in buckets, making the Chigubu concept even more useful.