The City of Harare recently held a workshop in Harare to finalize the Harare City Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. The workshop also sought to consult stakeholders on the establishment of the Harare City Integrated Solid Waste Management Partnership.
The workshop was attended by solid waste management stakeholders who included the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), waste collection and recycling companies as well as civic groups involved in solid waste recycling and staff from the city’s department responsible for solid waste management.
The Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan seeks to deal with the challenges currently facing the City of Harare which include lack of a scientific landfill, inadequate equipment for refuse collection which has resulted in the accumulation of uncollected garbage in open spaces and illegal dumbing. Participants drew a road map for the improvement of solid waste management including the identification of land for the construction of scientific landfills. Acquisition of the land would require the involvement of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement.
The construction and operation of new landfills will result in the decommissioning of the Pomona dump site which was condemned several years ago as not properly situated.
To spearhead this programme a Steering committee will be established comprising all solid waste management stakeholders in Harare. The City of Harare will provide the secretariat of the steering committee. The Cleaning Superintendent for the City of Harare, Mr Donald Sakupwanya said, “We are going to officially write to the members of the steering committee”.
The Solid Waste Management Partnership will also involve all solid waste stakeholders including vendors and is expected to raise awareness among vendors, residents and other stakeholders with the aim to recycle, reuse and reduce waste.