THE most visible improvement in Zimbabwe since the advent of the Second Republic has been in infrastructure development, in particular roads leading into major cities.

For Harare, there are 11 arterial roads leading into Harare, namely, Mutare Road, Arcturus Road feeding into Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road, Borrowdale Road, Mazowe Road, Chinhoyi Road, Bulawayo Road, Masvingo Road, Chitungwiza Road, Airport Road leading to Ruwa, Chiremba Road also leading to Ruwa via Epworth.

It is commendable that major improvements have been made on these arterial roads at varying degrees. But what remains shocking and unexplained is the level litter besides any one of these roads as you enter or leave Harare.

Litter as a visible component of waste management has remained neglected in the capital city. There is no visible enforcement and there is no evidence that the Harare Municipality and Environment Management Agency (EMA) are prioritising this at all.

This state of affairs is making the newly expanded arterial roads look less attractive from an aesthetic point of view. Most importantly, litter, a waste management issue, has increasingly become an environment, social and governance (ESG) issue as it adversely impacts the daily lives of rate paying citizens and tourists to the city.

Why littering is an ESG issue?

Keep Reading

The issue of littering is a significant ESG concern that has wide-reaching impacts on communities and ecosystems. When municipalities fail to prioritise and effectively address littering, it can result in a multitude of negative consequences as follows:

Environmental impact: Littering has a direct negative impact on the environment. It can pollute water bodies, harm wildlife, and disrupt ecosystems. Plastics, in particular, can take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to long-lasting environmental damage.

Social impact: Littering contributes to a decline in the quality of life in communities. It can create eyesores, decrease property values, and pose health risks. Moreover, littered areas are often associated with higher crime rates and a sense of neglect, affecting the well-being of residents.

Economic impact: Littering imposes costs on municipalities for clean-up and maintenance. These costs can be substantial and divert resources that could be used for other community development projects. Additionally, businesses located in areas affected by littering may suffer from reduced foot traffic and revenue.

Governance and reputation: Municipalities have a responsibility to uphold environmental standards and promote sustainable practices. Failing to address littering issues can reflect poorly on their governance and commitment to social responsibility. It can also impact their reputation among residents, businesses, and potential investors. The upcoming Sadc meeting starting on August 17, 2024 is going to show up the Harare City fathers and EMA as not being serious in keeping the city clean.

Given these reasons, municipalities across the country, should take proactive actions to combat littering for the following benefits:

Environmental conservation: By implementing measures to prevent littering, municipalities can protect local ecosystems, wildlife, and water sources. This contributes to overall environmental sustainability and helps preserve natural resources for future generations.

Public health and safety: Keeping communities clean and free of litter can improve public health by reducing the risk of disease transmission and injuries. It also promotes safety by creating a more attractive and inviting environment for residents and visitors.

Cost savings: Proactively addressing littering can result in cost savings for municipalities in terms of reduced clean-up expenses and maintenance efforts. These resources can be redirected towards other community development projects or essential services.

Community Well-being: Taking action against littering can enhance community pride, cohesion, and overall well-being. It fosters a sense of responsibility among residents and encourages collective efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable environment.

Implications for Harare council, EMA

In the specific case of Harare City Council and EMA's failure to control littering, the consequences are particularly severe. The accumulation of litter, especially plastic waste, invariably leads to the clogging of drains and waterways.

This not only exacerbates issues of flooding during periods of excessive rain but also contributes to environmental degradation and pollution of water sources.

Furthermore, the flooding of homes due to clogged drains often result in the displacement of residents, especially those who have built structures in vulnerable areas such as wetlands.

The improper disposal of waste not only impacts the immediate environment but also poses risks to public health, biodiversity, and overall quality of life for residents.

In addition, to the issues of littering and flooding, the failure to effectively manage waste in Harare municipality often leads to other related problems such as the spread of diseases, increased strain on public services, and damage to the city's reputation and attractiveness for residents, businesses, and tourists.

The recurring issue of cholera is directly collated to poor waste management by the municipalities.

To address these challenges, it is crucial for municipalities like Harare to implement comprehensive waste management strategies, raise public awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal, enforce regulations and penalties for littering, and invest in infrastructure for waste collection, recycling, and disposal. Collaboration between government agencies, community organisations, businesses, and residents is essential to create a sustainable and clean environment for all.

Measures to combat littering

By taking proactive measures to combat littering and improve waste management practices, municipalities can mitigate the negative impacts on the environment, public health, and social well-being, ultimately creating healthier, more resilient, and sustainable communities for current and future generations.

The Harare Municipality, working hand in glove with EMA, ought to take several actions to combat littering and improve waste management practices in the capital.

Here are some potential strategies and initiatives that the municipality could consider implementing:

Public awareness campaigns: Launching targeted public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of proper waste disposal, recycling, and the impacts of littering on the environment and public health.

Community engagement: Engaging with local communities, schools, businesses, and community groups to promote environmental stewardship, organise clean-up events, and encourage active participation in waste management initiatives.

Enforcement of regulations: Strengthening enforcement of existing littering and waste management regulations, including imposing fines and penalties on individuals and businesses found littering or violating waste disposal laws.

Improving waste collection services: Enhancing waste collection services, including increasing the frequency of collections, expanding coverage to underserved areas, and ensuring reliable and efficient waste collection and disposal processes.

Investing in infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure for waste management, such as establishing recycling facilities, composting centres, and waste sorting facilities to promote sustainable waste practices and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Promoting recycling and composting: Encouraging residents and businesses to recycle materials, compost organic waste, and reduce waste generation through incentives, awareness campaigns, and providing convenient recycling and composting facilities.

Implementing litter prevention programmes: Implementing litter prevention programs, such as installing more public trash bins, implementing anti-littering signage, and conducting regular clean-up drives in public spaces and waterways.

Collaboration and partnerships: Collaborating with other government agencies, non-governmental organisations, private sector partners, and community stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive waste management solutions and initiatives.

Monitoring and evaluation: Establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, measure the effectiveness of waste management initiatives, and make data-driven decisions to continually improve waste management practices.

Making littering a presidential and police issue: The City Fathers could successfully enlist the Presidency and Police to make public pronouncements on why it is important for citizens not to litter. The police could impose heave fines working hand in hand with EMA.

Kigali in Rwanda is now the cleanest city in Africa. With sanction from the Presidency, the “Umuganda” – meaning “coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome”, a community clean-up is held on the last Saturday of every month where citizens go into the streets and clean up.

The primary objective of the clean-up campaign is to encourage communities to take collective responsibility for the natural environment around them.

Visible bins were installed throughout the country to avoid citizens and tourists from littering.

It is one reason that Rwanda is renowned in Africa for its cleanliness.

It is not a volunteer activity and every citizen is required to participate in this project.

The idea is to make every citizen be mindful about not littering. Apparently, police are in hot pursuit monitoring the streets and can stop Rwandans who are not participating in the clean-up and make them clean up on the spot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing littering as an ESG issue and implementing proactive measures to combat it is essential for the overall health, sustainability, and prosperity of communities.

Municipalities and EMA in Zimbabwe ought to play a crucial role in leading these efforts and creating a cleaner, safer, and more resilient environment for all stakeholders.

By implementing a combination of these actions and engaging with stakeholders at all levels, the Harare municipality can work towards combating littering, promoting sustainable waste management practices, and creating a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally friendly city for its residents and future generations.

  • Ndoro-Mkombachoto is a former academic and banker. She has consulted widely in strategy, entrepreneurship and private sector development for organisations that include Seed Co Africa, Hwange Colliery, RBZ/CGC, Standard Bank of South Africa, Home Loans, IFC/World Bank, UNDP, USAid, Danida, Cida, Kellogg Foundation, among others, as a writer, property investor, developer and manager. — @HeartfeltwithGloria/ +263 772 236 341.