shloboe boe
Fredrick Qaphelani Mabikwa
IN my previous article, I discussed the effects of littering on our environment and wildlife. In this article, I will focus on the potential challenges of litter management for local authorities, their stakeholders, and residents to reduce littering.
Recently, I read an article in the Sunday News (November 24-30, 2024) indicating that the Bulawayo City Council is considering a policy where fines for illegal dumping will be paid in foreign currency.
This move aims to deter offenders and enhance the cleanliness of the city. The initiative is part of broader strategies to enforce environmental management standards and ensure efficient service delivery to residents.
Imposing stricter anti-litter and dumping regulations is a very effective deterrent to littering. The public and businesses are more likely to follow dumping and litter laws when there are serious legal or financial consequences.
Some of these littering fines have always existed since local authorities were established, but the challenge has been implementation. The problem is further compounded by the fact that local authority security, including Bulawayo, has no arresting powers and can only fine up to level three.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has higher fines, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) are the sole institution currently with arresting powers, leaving local authorities not fully empowered to enforce by-laws. There should be a deliberate move through the relevant Government structures, to consider giving local authorities security arresting powers.
Local authorities should have strong educational programmes and awareness campaigns in their communities on what littering and dumping are and how they affect the environment.
Some of the effects residents can immediately see in their areas. For example, litter blocks drainages, leading to flooding during the rainy season. We have recently witnessed flooding in Mahatshula, one of Bulawayo’s middle-density suburbs. The Central Business District (CBD), where most littering occurs, is also prone to flooding due to litter-driven drainage blockages.
There should be a deliberate attempt by local authorities to use all communication platforms, including modern Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), to raise awareness on the effects of littering on the general livelihoods of the communities.
Residents should be educated to become environmental stewards in their communities. Businesses should be responsible for cleaning their surroundings. At marketplaces, vendors should also be responsible for cleaning the space around their stalls. Local authorities should consider the concept of having litter marshals in the CBD. These litter marshals would be responsible for anti-litter awareness, litter management, and disposal in a given area. The litter marshals in their reflective regalia would also be a very powerful means of anti-litter awareness.
There is a law under the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) compelling private and public transporters to have bins in their vehicles for litter disposal. There is a fine of US$15 for private and public transporters who are found with no bins in their vehicles and for those vehicles whose passengers throw litter through windows.
Such bad habits cause accidents as some litter falls on the windscreens of vehicles moving in the opposite direction or overtaking. This is the same litter that kills domestic and wild animals when they consume it, especially plastic.
EMA works closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to enforce environmental protection laws. I have seen them checking exhaust fumes emissions on vehicles at roadblocks. Resources permitting, both financial and human, EMA officers should also be checking on the availability of bins in vehicles, giving short briefs on the dangers of unsafe litter disposal methods on the road, and sharing related awareness brochures at these roadblocks.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has an arrangement with the ZRP where they have these road accident awareness campaigns at roadblocks, especially during our major holidays. The TSCZ officers give short briefs and issue awareness brochures to motorists and passengers on road safety. This, for me, is a very effective awareness campaign.
One of the reasons why people litter is due to a lack of bins, especially in public areas. By increasing the number of available trash receptacles and the frequency they get cleaned, local authorities can reduce littering in public places, especially the CBD. Local businesses should be encouraged to put extra waste receptacles outside their businesses. In Bulawayo, I know it’s a requirement for all businesses to have bins, and there is a council resolution to that effect.
Churches continue to do clean-ups in their areas, and this should be encouraged. These initiatives should not only end at clean-ups but should look at how communities can sustain litter-free environments. There is no point in cleaning today and the very next morning the place is littered again.
We still have some residents who think that it is the duty of the local authorities to clean their areas. Local authorities can only do as much as funding allows them; otherwise, residents should take ownership of cleaning their areas.
There is wanton littering and dumping in some communities, and in certain areas, the culprits are known, and nothing is done to them. Councillors, through their local ward structures, should take it upon themselves to be innovative and introduce initiatives in their wards to combat littering and dumping.
Local schools should not be left out. Pupils are made to pick litter in their schools, but the same children litter the streets to and from school with all sorts of litter, including food wrappers from stuff they bring from home and buy from school. Now we even have those illegal vendors selling at school gates. Anti-littering campaigns beyond the school are critical for school authorities to conduct for the children.
There is a lot of stakeholder will to combat littering in urban areas. All local authorities need to do is engage these stakeholders. Some businesses want to advertise through trash receptacles.
A local bread manufacturing company is doing very well on that. More businesses would like to do such advertising. Even Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Churches have provided trash receptacles. Many local authorities do not have enough bins around their CBDs to receive litter. Local authorities’ by-laws on trash receptacles should be specific on technicalities like the distance between two bins on a street.
As CBDs become more congested, with increasing vehicle populations, more illegal vending, and more illegal taxi ranks, the problem of littering will increase. The earlier concerted efforts are made to manage this challenge; the faster litter-free communities will be realised.
mbulelo smpofu
