BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Zimbabwe currently recycles about 20 percent of its waste with however a positive increase in the number of recycling enterprises along the whole recycling value chain.
And while recycling is a good waste management system, there are numerous barriers that hinder the effectiveness of such (recycling) efforts.
This was revealed by Amkela Sidange, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Environmental Education and Publicity Manager, as the country joined the rest of the world in commemorating the Global Recycling Day on Tuesday.
The day is a global initiative celebrated annually on March 18, focusing on raising awareness about recycling and promoting sustainable practices, with the aim of turning waste into resources and protecting the planet.
It was established in 2018 by the Global Recycling Foundation, to highlight recycling’s critical role in preserving natural resources and securing a sustainable future for the planet.
This initiative aims to celebrate the achievements in recycling and to push for more innovative and effective recycling practices globally.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is, “Breaking Barriers: A Revolutionary Blueprint for the Waste Management Crisis”.
“The world is facing an unprecedented waste management crisis.
“Rapid urbanization, increasing consumption, and unsustainable production patterns have led to a surge in waste generation, overwhelming existing waste management systems.
“Traditional linear models of “make-dispose” are no longer viable, and a paradigm shift towards a circular economy is urgently needed.
“Recycling plays a pivotal role in this transition by reducing the demand for virgin materials, conserving energy, and minimizing pollution.
“However, numerous barriers hinder the effectiveness of recycling efforts, including, inadequate collection, sorting, and processing facilities.
“This exacerbated by limited public awareness and participation in recycling programs, challenges in recycling complex materials and developing efficient recycling technologies as well as inconsistent regulations and lack of financial incentives for recycling,” said Sidange.
She added that Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in raising awareness about the importance of recycling, encouraging communities to take action towards reducing waste and protecting the environment by actively participating in recycling initiatives and promoting sustainable practices.
Sidange also revealed that this year’s Global Recycling Day 2025 commemoration calls for the consideration of the following focus areas: promoting the circular economy, reducing waste and pollution, conserving natural resources, lowering carbon emissions and highlighting the importance of recycling in the fight against climate change.
Added Sidange: “To Zimbabwe, recycling remains a major catalyst towards achieving the Zero Waste and Circular Economy status we all want.”
