A network of waste managers in the country have called upon the residents of Blantyre city to change their mindset towards managing waste.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday at Blantyre City Council, Senior Environmental Health Officer Chipo Majoni acknowledged that mindset change was 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 lamented lack of resources as one of the main elements setting back 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 Majoni, Blantyre City Council faced challenges in collecting waste with inadequate vehicles and lack of equipment to manage dumpsites, among other things.
She added that plans are in the pipeline for the council to construct new waste recycling center in Chigumula, engaging private waste management companies and enforcing local laws mandating people trash disposal.
In a separate interview, Blantyre City Coordinator for Waste Advisors, Idris Mkwanda advised the city dwellers to cultivate a culture of recycling materials as a means of waste management since the current dumpsite at Mzedi has become so full with the 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’.
