Local Organization Introduces Waste Collection Service to Combat Poor Waste Management in Nkhata Bay District
Go Green Save Environment launches door-to-door waste collection service to improve environmental health and promote recycling in Nkhata-Bay district.
NKHATA BAY, Malawi - In a commendable effort to address the issue of poor waste management, the local eco-centred organisation Go Green Save Environment has introduced a waste collection service initiative in Nkhata Bay district, writes Rabecca Kaunda.
The organisation aims to enhance environmental health and promote sustainable practices for all residents.
Go Green Save Environment, a non-governmental organisation established in 2017, is dedicated to human rights and environmental management.
Their comprehensive focus includes protecting the environment, addressing climate change, reforestation, advocacy, waste management, and both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
This innovative initiative features a door-to-door waste collection service that has already made a significant impact in the district.
Volunteers from various communities actively participate in waste collection, which is then recycled into a range of useful products.
According to Ethel Grace Mwafulirwa, Programmes Director for Go Green, the response from communities in the district has been overwhelmingly positive.
Mwafulirwa proudly stated, "We are the first organisation to introduce waste collection in the district. We do not simply dispose of the waste haphazardly; instead, we add value to it by producing other products such as paving and compost manure."
Mwafulirwa further explained that beneficiaries of the initiative are trained to make sustainable charcoal from rice bran, promoting environmental conservation and sanitation while providing them with a modest income.
"Through our advocacy, we encourage people in different communities to utilise locally available resources like rice bran for charcoal production. This approach alleviates pressure on forest resources, offering an alternative to firewood," she elaborated.
Doris Makuwira, 23, a volunteer from Mtilirwa village, shared her newfound knowledge and appreciation for the initiative.
"I was initially surprised to learn that charcoal can be made from rice bran. However, through this project, I have discovered the potential of turning waste into valuable resources," she expressed gratefully.
Makuwira emphasised the organization's role in revealing the economic potential hidden within what most people consider trash.
Robertson Nyasulu, 26, from Mkumbira village, highlighted another positive outcome of the organization's efforts.
"Go Green has made us champions of tree planting, contributing to the restoration of our environment," he stated.
In the meantime, Mainja Gonamaso Kaundama, the Director of Finance for Go Green, emphasised the need for additional funding to expand the initiative's reach.
He appealed to the government and other stakeholders for support. Kaundama also revealed that Go Green plans to introduce a project called the "Abandoned, Lost Fishing Gear Initiative" in districts such as Salima, Mangochi, and Nkhata-Bay in the coming months.
Go Green Save Environment's waste collection service in Nkhata Bay district represents a significant step towards improving waste management practices and fostering a healthier environment for all residents.
With the support of the community and key stakeholders, their admirable efforts can continue to create a positive and sustainable impact.