By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, May 19, Mana:  Waste Advisers organisation has emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure progress and sustainability of waste management activities in Blantyre City.

Waste Advisers, are currently working with secondary schools, and have worked with Blantyre City Council in installation of waste separation bins in markets and streets within the city for waste separation and recycling.

Waste Advisers Project Officer, Khumbo Butao, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview on Monday, that through the European Union (EU) Building Better Project, they are working with stakeholders to develop a Malawi Circular Economy Network which will address waste management issues among others.

“We are working with the education sector to build citizens who will be ambassadors of waste management. Our goal is to increase organic and inorganic recycling rates, strengthen the role of informal waste pickers and support local enterprises that upcycle waste to reduce the volume of waste going to landfills,” he said.

Butao added that proper waste management in the city has numerous benefits including reduced environmental pollution, improved public health, job creation in the recycling sector and contribution to a circular economy.

 “Waste management is a community responsibility and everyone has a role to play. By working together, Blantyre can become a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable city for future generations,” Butao said.

He denounced lack of public knowledge, vandalism and limited infrastructures for waste segregation and recycling, saying it is affecting the progress of waste management.

Waste Advisers is addressing these issues by supporting infrastructural development through pilot projects, advocating for policy support and conducting continuous community clean-up campaigns.

Environmental activist, Charles Mkoka, stressed the need for promotion of circular economy practices where waste is reused and recycled rather than dumped, arguing it reduces pressure on landfills.

“We need to encourage community clean-up initiatives and waste sorting at household level. We have to increase the number of designated waste collection points and improve regular garbage collection by establishing more recycling and composting centres,” Mkoka said.

Waste Advisers has supported production of functional items such as school desks and compost from waste.