Online Reporter
Your Money, Your Call
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba
ONE DAY, as I was driving along the Harare-Bulawayo highway, I witnessed a disheartening incident.
Passengers aboard a bus owned by a well-known transportation company were throwing waste from the windows.
The sight of empty takeaway boxes and bottle drinks being carelessly discarded on the roadside was both frustrating and saddening.
The incident highlighted the urgent need for better waste management practices and stricter enforcement of anti-littering laws.
As the festive season is upon us, the joy and excitement of celebrations are often marred by a disturbing issue that plagues our public transport system: littering.
Passengers throwing litter out of bus windows not only pollute our environment but also pose a significant distraction to other road users. This behaviour is not just a nuisance; it is also a serious environmental and safety concern that demands immediate attention and stringent action.
Littering by bus passengers contributes significantly to land pollution. The festive season, with its increased travel, exacerbates this problem.
Wrappers, bottles and other waste items thrown out of bus windows end up on roads and roadsides, as well as in fields and even in water bodies. This litter not only spoils the natural beauty of our surroundings, but also harms wildlife and ecosystems.
Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled in the waste, leading to injury or death. Moreover, littering contributes to the broader issue of waste management challenges. The accumulation of litter requires additional resources for cleaning and disposal, which could be better utilised elsewhere.
The environmental footprint of this waste is substantial, as it often includes non-biodegradable materials that persist in the environment for years. Littering from moving vehicles, as we have already pointed out, is not only an environmental issue; it is also a significant safety hazard. Objects thrown from buses can distract other drivers, leading to accidents.
For instance, a plastic bottle or a piece of paper flying out of a window can momentarily divert a driver’s attention, increasing the risk of collisions. In some cases, larger objects can cause direct damage to other vehicles or even pedestrians.
Additionally, there are times when buses experience breakdowns and have to stop by the roadside, waiting for help. During these stops, passengers often leave the area full of waste.
Once the bus is fixed, both the bus crew and the passengers ignore the mess and continue with their journey: The litter remains!
This reminds me of a certain bus company that used to ply the Harare-Johannesburg route. It provided food to its passengers and, after a while, the staff would move around with bin liners collecting the empty food boxes. Nobody threw litter out of the windows. Some of the bin liners would be strategically located so that passengers could dispose of their waste at any time. This practice ensured a clean and pleasant environment for everyone on board.
To address the menace, the authorities must enforce stringent penalties for littering from public transport. Heavy fines should be imposed on both the passengers and the bus companies involved.
The fines should be substantial enough to deter such behaviour and encourage bus crews to be strict on their passengers over waste disposal.
Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Educating passengers on the environmental and safety impacts of littering can foster a sense of responsibility and community.
Bus operators can play a significant role by displaying anti-littering messages and providing adequate waste disposal facilities on board.
As we celebrate the holidays, each of us has a role to play; passengers should take personal responsibility for their waste, and the authorities must enforce regulations to curb littering.
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba is a marketing consultant with a strong passion for customer service/experience. For comments, suggestions and training, she can be reached at info@customersuccess.co.zw or +263712979461, 0719978335, 0772978335, www.customersuccess.co.zw
