By Tadiwanashe Mugabe
Pic 1: Waste dumped at pipeline bus stop commonly known as Pamapipe in Gimboki
1.0 Introduction
Poor waste management is ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal methods (UNEP, 2022) Poor waste management is a result of improper disposal methods like dumping waste in undesignated areas. This has various negative effects on the environment and a person which makes it impossible to fulfill some of the Sustainable Development Goals like Climate Action, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Good Health and well-being. This article is going to further demystify what poor waste management is and also delve deeper into how poor waste management has caused unrest in Dangamvura.
2.0 Background
Solid waste management is becoming very difficult in Dangamvura. This is evidenced by the huge piles of garbage in streets and solid wastes in rivers. Back in the day household waste was easy to manage this is because there was less pressure on the services like refuse collection and there were also cages for refuse at certain points like at the Mukwena store. These cages were labeled glass, plastics, and metal which indicated where one was supposed to dispose of a certain material. This is now different due to the ever-increasing population in urban areas which is a result of rural-to-urban migration, and high birth rates to mention a few so there has been a strain on services and this makes it very difficult to ensure proper waste management. The residents of Dangamvura have resorted to quicker methods of disposal which include dumping wastes in undesignated areas.
3.0 Poor Waste Management Defined
Poor waste management is ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal methods (UNEP, 2022). According to Jerie (2019), poor waste management is uncontrolled waste-related activities that negatively impact the environment, human health, and resource conservation. The World Health Organisation (2020) defines poor waste management as poor waste collection and improper disposal such as uncontrolled dumpsites with no measures to protect the soils or groundwater. Enlight of the above scholars poor waste management involves improper disposal methods like illegal dumpsites which impacts the environment, people, and the economy.
4.0 Causes of poor waste management
4.1 Improper disposal methods
Improper disposal is the dumping of wastes in undesignated areas like roadsides, highways, waterways, and rivers. This is evident at Mukwena Vegetable Market where vendors dump rotten vegetables on the river banks just outside the market. Household waste is also dumped on roadsides these include leftover food, tins, and plastics. Nursing mothers are also responsible for dumping used Pampers the same way.
4.2 Lack of knowledge
Most residents are not fully aware of the negative impact they impose on the environment and themselves. There is a lack of knowledge on deeper issues like Climate change and diseases that are associated with poor waste management. The residents also lack knowledge on ways they can ensure proper waste management in the absence of the authority’s services like making use of the 3 Rs that is reduce, reuse, and recycle.
4.3 Ignorance
Ignorance is also a cause of this injustice. This is a result of negligence. The residents are aware that it is illegal to dump waste, but despite this knowledge, the residents are still careless. According to the constitution of Zimbabwe Section 73 alludes that, it is every citizen’s right to prevent pollution and ecological degradation. Most residents are aware of this but due to ignorance and negligence; they fail to comply.
4.4 Increasing population
The increase in population is one of the reasons why it becomes difficult to ensure proper waste management. Due to the ever-increasing population as a result of the high fertility rate, rural-to-urban migration, and low death rate, population growth results in more households and this makes it difficult to maintain proper waste management as it puts a strain on services. Gimboki is an area that developed under certain circumstances.
5.0 Effects of poor waste management in Dangamvura
5.1 Illegal dumpsites
Illegal dumpsites are huge piles of garbage. This causes land pollution and dumpsites destroy the natural beauty of the environment this means that the environment becomes unsightly. There is also soil and water contamination as a result of these dumpsites this is through leaching a process where solid wastes enter the soil and groundwater.
5.2 Disease outbreak
Poor waste management affects community residents. Open unsanitary landfills contribute to the contamination of drinking water and can cause infection and transmit diseases. Illegal dumping sites are also breeding places for mosquitoes and other parasites that cause diseases and sharp objects disposed contain spores of tetanus. This also harms Sustainable Development Goal number three which is good health and well-being and goal number six clean water and sanitation.
5.3 Climate change
Rising levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere are already changing our climate. Some of these emission increases can be traced directly to our solid waste. Solid waste contributes directly to greenhouse gas emissions through the generation of methane from the anaerobic decay of waste in landfills, and the emission of nitrous oxide from our solid waste combustion facilities (U.S Environmental Protection Agency 2016). These greenhouse gases have high global warming potential. This causes climate change hence poor waste management slows down progress in working towards Sustainable development Goal 13 Climate Action.
5.4 Strain on Resources
There are a lot of resources needed in trying to solve poor waste management. These resources include high funds, costly machinery, and manpower. This ultimately becomes a challenge and resources will continue being wasted because there is no progress in waste management. Land value is also lowered when the environment is unclean.
6.0 Recommendations
6.1 Civic Education and public awareness
Residents must be educated on environmental protection. Education also involves public awareness. Residents should be taught proper disposal methods like recycling and composting. People must practice proper waste management even in the absence of the city council services for example Gimboki residents are still not receiving services like refuse collection they should be taught on ways they can properly dispose of wastes and the use of the 3R that is reduce, reuse, and recycle.
6.2 Community Advocacy
Advocacy involves environmental activism. It is important because it can bring attention to serious issues like the dumping of waste at the Mukwena Vegetable market. It involves the mobilization of others to use their voices to influence leaders and the authorities for example we can advocate for frequent refuse collection in public places like the Mukwena vegetable market and also a provision of bins. According to the World Bank Group (2020), we can also advocate for designing products to reduce waste, using products and materials for as long as possible and recycling materials from end-of-life products back into the economy and this is the circular economy in waste management.
6.3 Strict Penalties and Fines
Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27 promotes environmental protection for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislation and other measures that prevent ecological degradation, hence illegal dumping of waste is a serious offense. This means the authorities should make sure the residents who are caught on the wrong side of the law should be heavily fined. This can help reduce the high number of residents who dump waste in undesignated areas due to fear of paying high fines.
7.0 Conclusion
Summing up, poor waste management is an aftermath of the community’s improper disposal methods. The residents are to blame themselves for this injustice. Effects of poor waste management include disease outbreaks, the creation of illegal dumpsites, climate change puts a strain on resources. To curb poor waste management practices in Dangamvura, there should be strong advocacy, civic education, and public awareness. There is a need to ensure strict fines and penalties.