HARARE City Council is sitting on a health time bomb, as its central business district only has 173 litter bins against a minimum requirement of 862, NewsDay has learnt.
By Sofia Mapuranga
A survey done jointly by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police and City of Harare revealed that the city’s anti-litter campaign was being hampered by the shortage of bins.
Speaking to stakeholders at a consultative meeting in the city last Thursday, EMA’s manager for Harare Metropolitan province, Benson Basera said: “Pick up points for commuters had spots of litter comprising mainly of kaylite and PET bottles and
one such example is Cameron Street, which had only eight bins instead of the required 120.”
He said the dire situation also affected busy areas such as Leopold Takawira Street, which had only two bins instead of 69 and Robert Mugabe Way, which had 20 out of 115 bins.
“Findings from the survey established that only 13 bins were available along Chinhoyi Street against the recommended 99. It was also noted that some of the bins were vandalised, while vending sites had most litter comprising of plastic and paper waste,” he said.
City engineer, Calvin Chigariro appealed to the corporate sector to assist in waste management to ensure that the city retains its sunshine city status.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Considering the input and recommendations made at this stakeholders meeting, we call on anyone who wants to donate bins, especially in their respective areas of operation, to approach our offices for the design and modalities of how they can put up the bins.
“Waste management by-laws stipulate that companies have a role to play in the provision of bins at their respective areas of operation,” he said, adding that council was in the process of enacting legislation, which required that any company seeks a permit to operate in Harare would submit a waste management strategy as a prerequisite to get a licence.
Chigariro called on businesspeople, especially those in the fast foods retail sector, who were operating in the city to put up incentives such as a discount for people that ate within their premises instead of buying takeaways.
EMA spokesperson, Steady Kangata emphasised the importance for citizens and corporates to walk the talk in waste management.
