Addressing delegates at the official launch of the colour coded system of recycling in Harare, Environment Africa Chief Executive Officer, Charlene Hewat, said Zimbabwe had the potential to reduce its waste.
Colour coding
The colour coded recycling bags and bins, made from recycled waste, are part of an initiative facilitated by Environment Africa in partnership with Plastex Incorporation and the Lynde Francis Trust. The different colours reflect the kind of waste to be placed in each of the bags and bins.
“The recycled colour bins are a first in Zimbabwe and they have been endorsed by the Environment Management Authority. We hope that through this initiative, less waste goes to our dumpsites. The red bin is for glass, blue for cans, green for plastic, yellow for paper and black for general waste.”
The range of plastic colour coded bags includes vehicle, household and industrial plastic bins with a capacity to carry 130l and 240l of waste.
Councillor Musarurwa Stewart Mutiza from the Harare City Council Environmental Management Committee said there was need for more education on the advantages of recycling.
“Everyone should be educated on the importance of separating waste. I believe that if we start by teaching school children, then the information will reach the communities faster,” he said.
UNWTO prep
Mutizwa commended EA for coming up with the initiative.
“These plastic bags and colour coded bins will go a long way towards addressing the challenge of waste collection and management, especially as the country prepares for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation extravaganza.”
He highlighted the importance of an organic environment and said it had the potential to “alleviate the current challenges where there is massive destruction of the country’s wetlands and water reservoirs”.
Ondine Francis from the Lynde Francis Trust added that besides promoting environmental sustainability, the initiative aimed to harness clean material for artists working at their organisation.
“Our artists have challenges getting the material they need for their various artefacts. Some have been buying bottle tops from bottle stores and restaurants but they are so dirty and the cleaning process is not only laborious but a time consuming exercise.”
She expressed hope that citizens will embrace the use of the colour coded recycling bags and implement the separation at source strategy as an income generating initiative.
“It is the organisation’s intention to be actively involved in waste management, not only for the benefit of the artists that we work with, but because it is an income generating project,” said Francis.
Post published in: News
Where can we obtain these bags and where are the deposit locations please