Effective use of the three R’s in the cholera aftermath

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:46:06 +0000

REDUCE, re-use and recycle; these are often words we hear on a day to day basis and are often inscribed onto the back of our juice bottles and boxes.

A catchy slogan that echoes the need for society to take a proactive attitude towards the issue of pollution and environmental preservation and timely coincides with the recent trend of events within the country.

Following the recent cholera outbreak that swept the nation, Government embarked on the ambitious exercise of tidying up and clearing central business hubs all over the country as well as disposing of the large heaps of garbage collected from the exercise.

This undoubtedly saw many parts of the country such as Town Centre and City Market in Lusaka reveal a pleasant, unpolluted, uncrowded and clean face that had scarcely been seen before.

The cleanup exercise successfully facilitated for the destruction and removal of several makeshift stands and stalls that equally played their role in contributing to the collective issue of poor hygiene and sanitation.

In as much as this exercise addresses numerous pending health concerns, it arguably creates a second problem in the form of undesignated dumping sites and unregulated garbage disposal.

Much of the dirt and debris collected from the numerous cleaning sites around the country,  finds itself in the middle of some isolated or abandoned lot with no tangible purpose or function; causing the collection of enormous garbage heaps that eventually re-pollute the environment.

The method and system used in many clean-up operations is often one that simply shifts the problem from one area to another.

Many of the garbage heaps that served as an eyesore in the City Centre have vanished, only to reappear as an eyesore in another location preferably a graveyard or desolate plot on the outskirts of town.

This method of waste management however proves ineffective on numerous levels as the world of science clearly dictates.

Numerous non-bio degradable materials such as plastic and Styrofoam which are disposed of in bulk particularly in developing countries like Zambia, will not decompose naturally like paper or wood.

These materials often cause long term damage and pollution to the natural environment.

This is why many developed countries have adopted the use of the three R’s or simply productive waste management.

The lack of effective garbage sorting and disposal systems creates numerous social and biological problems.

Garbage that is not properly sorted and treated threatens not only to pollute the environment, but numerous other health concerns through bacteria and pathogens that may find their way back into the system.

For this reason, unplanned dumping sites are issues of great concern to the developing world, as poor individuals often resort to these sites as a means to source free food and valuable items that they may not afford.

Annually,  numerous mega stores and outlets; particularly within the country conduct mandatory product  checks that result in the disposal of numerous expired  products and food items deemed unfit for sale or consumption.

These products are loaded up into trucks and simply dumped or off-loaded onto a poorly guarded area without any sorting or destruction.

This in turn, creates the situation of impromptu garbage grocery shops that serve many desperate locals that live within reach of the dump site.

These forfeited items are often considered a hot commodity in the slums and are easily re-sold at competitive prices.

The lack of monitored waste disposal systems leaves garbage dumped virtually anywhere, exposing the public to a greater risk of contaminated sub-standard products.

The use of the three R’s  or “waste hierarchy ” however, creates an effective system of garbage disposal that  promises not only to reduce the risk of pollution but the creation of an entirely new and previously uncharted  revenue stream through the creation of large scales garbage treatment plants.

A vital step in this disposal system begins with the sorting of garbage to distinguish and isolate bio-degradable from non-bio degradable materials.

Youths can be employed in this and numerous other parts of the process that lead to the eventual creation of usable goods from discarded waste.

Bio-Degradable waste can easily be used to generate energy. Methane, the gas produced by garbage has been proven to produce tangible energy that can in turn be used to power numerous machines.  The Global Climate Change Organisation states that:

“Methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas. One pound of methane traps 25 times more heat in the atmosphere than a pound of carbon dioxide.

Methane is also the main ingredient in natural gas. Because methane can be captured from landfills, it can be burned to produce electricity, heat buildings, or power garbage trucks.

Capturing methane before it gets into the atmosphere also helps reduce the effects of climate change.”

In the potential shortage of hydro-electric power, garbage might pose a solution to the question of alternative energy thus reducing the strain in the national grid.

Sweden has been operating a biogas-powered train since 2005. It shuttles passengers between two cities that are 75 kilometres apart.  Bio-degradable waste has also been used to create compost and fertiliser, which can provide an additional bonus for the agricultural sector.

With the ever-increasing cost of fertiliser, local industries can learn to harness the power if organic waste and transform it into re-USABLE fertiliser.

This type of fertiliser covers less costs than industry manufactured brands thus making it more economical and practical in an agricultural nation.

Non-bio degradable materials such as scrap metal could additionally serve as a double-edged sword as due to their non-biodegradable nature, can often be re-used and reproduced numerous times in different shapes and forms in order to meet the demands of the public.

For many years the indigenous population have grown accustomed to the use of plastic Afro-combs, dishes, chairs and kitchen utensils that are often imported.

The very same plastic material that we dispose of in abundance is used by foreign countries to create the most basic yet necessary clothing furniture that could potentially hold promise for the country.

An effective garbage disposal system will easily weed out the different materials available and use them to the best of their abilities to maximise usefulness as well as simultaneously reduce pollution.

Metal that often provides an eyesore at local junkyards can easily be transformed into re usable plates of sheet metal or iron or zinc that can be resold to manufacturing industries with the use of modern advanced machinery.

This form of waste management is often successful as it easily kills two birds with one stone.

The system creates employment, utilises waste whilst simultaneously preserving the natural environment.

The products and jobs created by the use of such modern waste management systems serve as not only an additional  source of GDP* and may serve to address numerous other social and health insecurities the country possesses as it significantly reduces the risk of disease and illness caused by stray garbage.

Though foreign and a bit far-fetched the essence of re-using, reducing and recycling is slowly gaining momentum not only in the country but around the world, with many being witness to the massive paradigm shift sweeping the globe.

With due attention by Government, stakeholders and individuals alike, the goal of effective garbage disposal will not be impossible but one that the nation can surely and eventually get to achieve; thus creating a cleaner and safer environment and protecting the health, safety and well being of the people of Zambia.

The author is a Journalist, writer and student pursing her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.  For comments and contributions email davidmwengwe@yahoo.com