By Steven Godfrey Mkweteza
Different waste managers convened in Blantyre on Wednesday have called on the residents to change their mindset in the way they manage waste in the commercial city.
Speaking in an interview at the meeting Blantyre City Council (BCC) senior environmental health officer Chipo Majoni acknowledged that mindset change is crucial in addressing the liquid and solid waste resources in the city.
Majoni said the existing mindset of the residents could have been changed if more sensitization campaigns were put in place.
However, she cited the lack of resources as one of the main elements pulling down the efforts.
” We could have put together the organised civic education campaigns, targeting people such as parents, children and other leaders so that these people should be aware of the basic facts about waste management.
“This should have been done to make sure that all people have enough information about waste management,” she said
According to her,at first BCC was facing a challenge of having inadequate vehicles used for collecting waste and lack of equipment to manage dumpsites, among other things.
She said currently, the council is planning to construct a new waste recycling center in Chigumula township , engaging private waste management companies and enforcing local laws mandating people’s trash disposal.
In a separate interview, city coordinator for waste advisors, Idris Mkwanda advised the city dwellers to cultivate a culture of recycling materials as one way of managing waste since the current dumpsite at mzedi has become so full of waste.
“The waste products can be value added into manure making which can benefit the residents in the end as well,” he said.
Representatives from companies, industries, waste collectors, business persons and Blantyre city council brainstormed strategies to improve waste management under ‘ Blantyre Think Tank Networking Meeting’.
