Suburban
The City of Harare says it plans to move from a linear model to an integrated solid waste management system which will see an improvement in the city’s waste management situation.
Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter
In an interview on the sidelines of waste management workshop, the City of Harare’s acting head of amenities in the Department of Works, Engineer Keith Mapunzamoyo said the workshop will see a plan being developed which will be recommended to become policy for solid waste management in the city.
The city plans to introduce material recovery centres and composters at strategic places around Harare as well as promote waste separation and recycling.
“The workshop is about the transition the city intends to make.
“Currently the city is employing what we call a linear model in waste management.
“So we want to move from a linear model to what we call integrated solid waste management, which is multi-functional so that we are able to improve on our waste management situation.
“So basically we are here to develop a plan or a blueprint which we will recommend to our principals to become a policy for solid waste management in the city,” he said.
Eng Mapunzamoyo said at the end of the workshop, the major outcome will be the draft document to be given as input to policy makers.
“That’s why we have invited organisations and various Ministries to be part of this workshop because the issue of waste is affecting everyone in the city.
“So from this workshop, we are coming up with a policy and a strategy document which we are going to use to implement the integrated solid waste management and to see an improvement in solid waste management in the city,” he said.
Eng Mapunzamoyo also gave an update on the progress council has made in terms of procurement and repairing refuse compactors.
“We have recently concluded evaluation for refuse compactors and we are also evaluating equipment, that includes front-end loaders and excavators to use and supporting equipment as well. We have inspected some skip bins to be deployed in and around the city so in terms of procurement, I can say the tendering stage, we are at award stage. The key equipment, we already have a contract for landfill equipment that is at Pomona dumpsite, a dozer and compactor, we are at down payment stage. So we hope anytime, the payment will be made by Government and then we expect delivery anytime end of July or beginning of August.”
On repairs of refuse compactors, Eng Mapunzamoyo said the city is making good progress.
“We have had deliveries made of spares and consumables so we are slowly coming up with our fleet numbers,” he said.
Eng Mapunzamoyo said there has been a good response to Acting Mayor for Harare Councillor Musarurwa Mutizwa’s recent for help to clear garbage and illegal dumpsites in the city.
“As of yesterday (Tuesday), there was an activity carried out at Market Square (in the central business district) by an organization, Con-Plant Technology who provided tipper trucks to do 15 loads and they are close to finishing the loads today (Wednesday),” he said.
Eng Mapunzamoyo said council does not condone the burning of waste. Some residents are resorting to burning their waste as the city struggles to collect refuse.
An identified person was reported to have burnt garbage that was left uncollected for an entire month at Kamfinsa shopping centre.
“It has a huge bearing on climate change and on our ecosystem.
“We encourage residents to practice good waste and sustainable waste management methods.
“That is why we are here (at the workshop) trying to inculcate this integrated solid waste management practice.
“You realise that when you have a linear model, if one link is affected, for instance the refuse collection part, we have been having challenges with our fleet and equipment so it means we have waste that is piling resulting in people trying to burn the waste.
“So with an integrated solid waste management approach, it would address those challenges.
“We are looking at introducing material recovery centres and composters at the various strategic places around the city.
“It would mean that when collection is not done, there is a structured way to contain the waste.
“We are also going to be employing waste separation techniques.
“We are going to recycle some of the waste which is recyclable.
“And as they are burning, what we are burning most from the waste characterisation study that was done previously, there is plenty of organic waste, which is fuel so we are also going to be looking at how best we can be able to manage that.
“So this is the beginning phase and a very important transition, which the city is making to ensure that we improve on these solid waste management practices, to move from the linear.
“In the event that there is a challenge in collection, we have a structured way, a health and safety conscious way to manage uncollected waste.
“We should be saying bye-bye to burning of waste,” he said.
Conplant became the first company to respond to the council’s plea for corporates to help in waste collection.
Eng Mapunzamoyo commended the support the city is receiving from all stakeholders.
“Yes the city is challenged but it has not failed hence the need for everyone to come on board because the vision does not belong to the city employees.
“They are just made stewards of the city so the vision belongs to the city and its citizens so we really need everyone to come on board and support this initiative in whatever way,” he said.
Also participating at the workshop were corporate organisations such as Delta, non-profit making organisations and individuals who are active in solid waste management.
