The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has donated 14 refuse bins to Bulawayo City Council, stepping up efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and responsible waste disposal.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, CCJP coordinator Fikile Dlamini said the initiative was rooted in the social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, which emphasise human dignity, solidarity, and care for creation.
“In the story of Genesis, God created human beings and asked them to care for the environment, so caring for our surroundings is one of our duties,” he said.
Dlamini added that CCJP incorporated environmental protection into its ministry through awareness campaigns, cleaning of suburbs such as Nketa, Entumbane and Makokoba, and workshops with the city’s cleaning department on solid waste management.
The colour-coded bins encourage waste separation at source, with two bins provided to each participating church — one for general waste and another for plastics.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart described the donation as a “heart-warming” gesture and praised the church for its leadership in social justice.
He emphasised that while providing bins is important, changing mindsets and encouraging community participation are even more critical. The mayor highlighted the city’s ongoing efforts to improve waste management, including the procurement of 21 rubbish trucks.
Coltart said the church had historically played a significant role in promoting justice and moral leadership in the country and expressed hope that other denominations will follow suit.
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The mayor said cleanliness required partnership between residents and the local authority, noting that while the cleaning department was working diligently, more support was needed.
He urged congregants to ensure their surroundings are clean, saying such small actions can have a disproportionate impact on society.
The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment from both parties to collaborate in promoting environmental care and ensuring the city’s cleanliness.
