By Dylan Munashe Dzenga
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is carrying out “meet the people” sessions in Harare where they are educating the public to avoid throwing litter everywhere and maintain a clean, safe and healthy environment.
In collaboration with Harare City Council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), EMA has been touring Harare Central Business District and residential areas educating residents and business operators to have bins in their working areas even if they are not selling foodstuffs so that their customers will have a well designated place to throw their litter.
The agency went on to ask those who are inti Brick moulding, transportation, sand extraction and transportation to visit EMA office that are close to them so that they get licenses in doing their work.
During the campaigns, the agency announced that every vehicle must have a bin inside because if a passenger throws litter through the window, then the Environmental Officers will sue the driver. And also if there is litter everywhere at a premise, the Officers will sue the person operating in that area.
The Environmental Management Agency also introduced what is called Block Ticketing which they will be billing to anyone found guilty of having litter around their homesteads.
EMA also went on to give warning to the people who are into car washing saying that there are specific designated car washing spaces and that is where they should operate and not just anywhere they find suitable to establish a car wash.
The biggest challenge that the country has faced with waste disposal is waste separation. EMA also encouraged residents of Harare to exercise waste separation in their homesteads which make it easier and healthier when disposing it.
Waste can be categorized and disposed in 4 parts which are organic, plastic, paper and glass.
Waste products are a potential source of income if handled properly. Paper, plastics, wood, metal among other items can be sent for recycling.
EMA says not only does this help in keeping the environment smart, clean and healthy, but also helps people earn a living from selling the reusable waste and manure from the biodegradable organic waste.