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What is solid waste?
Solid waste refers to discarded materials other than fluids and gases. It includes municipal garbage, agricultural refuse, demolition and industrial waste as well as mining residues. Increasing population, rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, the construction boom, improved lifestyle and unsustainable consumption patterns have all contributed to the growing solid waste problem.
Sources of solid waste

• Supermarkets;

• Illegal vendors;

• Households

• Hospitals, Clinics and Surgeries;

• Manufacturing/processing industries;

• Food industries;

• Residential areas;

• Motor industries; and the

• Construction industry.

Negative impacts of solid waste

• Land Pollution — waste is an eyesore and results in the loss of  aesthetic value of land, taking away the beauty of cities and towns. This could have a negative effect on the country’s tourism industry.

• Pollution of underground and surface water bodies — Waste can be washed away into waterbodies whilst leachate can pollute underground water and contaminate the soil;

• Harbours pathogens and promotes the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and malaria.

Waste is a breeding ground for disease spreading vectors such as flies, mosquitoes and rats.

• Decomposing material produces methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas that leads to global warming;

• Fire risk from landfills without fireguards and security;

• Blockage of water and sewer drains by litter and non-biodegradable material leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid;

• Loss of livestock and wildlife from consumption of plastics;

• Air pollution from the burning of dumps or skip bins, resulting in respiratory diseases.

• Burning of polystyrene polymers (commonly referred to as kaylite) such as foam cups/containers, meat trays and yoghurt containers releases tyrene, a dangerous gas that can be absorbed through the skin and lungs. At high levels styrene gas can damage the eyes and mucous membranes. Long term exposure can affect the central nervous system, causing headaches, fatigue, weakness, and depression.

Why should you be concerned about proper solid waste management?
Every person has the right to a clean and safe environment that is not harmful to health. This is a constitutionally guaranteed right which is also enshrined in the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27). Failure by us to uphold this right means that we infringe on other people’s right to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment.

The Environmental Management Agency:

• Spearheads the protection of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations;

• Spearheads the formulation of measures that prevent pollution and environmental degradation;

• Controls and regulates waste disposal;

• Maintains records of the extent and nature of environmental pollution in Zimbabwe for use in planning and management of the nation’s natural resources; and

• Advises the public and the private sector on control of environmental pollution.