Richard Shumba
The City of Gweru is set to reintroduce the refuse receptacle program in an effort to improve waste management while addressing the increasing problem of illegal dumps across residential areas.
The initiative, which last operated between 2013 and 2015 under the former refuse
receptacle revolving fund, is expected to ensure that every household has a proper waste
container.
In an interview with this publication, Ward councilor William Mazango said reviving the program is long overdue and will play a critical role in restoring proper waste management practices at the community level.
“The refuse receptacle revolving fund was last administered around 2013 to 2015, and
bringing it back is a crucial step for the city.
The importance is that all households will have the refuse receptacle, which will improve
refuse storage at the point of generation,” said Cllr Mazango.
He emphasized that once households are equipped with standard refuse bins, the city will
see a noticeable improvement in how waste is handled.
“Residents will be in a position to keep their waste acceptable, and the illegal dumps will be
minimized,” he said.
Cllr Mazango added that the program will also contribute to improved public health by reducing disease vectors that thrive in unmanaged waste.
“Fly and rodent control will be enhanced as well because proper storage helps cut off the
breeding grounds these pests rely on,” he said.
The city has been battling recurring illegal dumps, particularly in high-density suburbs, where uncollected waste and the lack of proper refuse containers have contributed to deteriorating sanitary conditions.
Council officials believe the reintroduction of standardized receptacles, combined with scheduled waste collection, will help restore cleanliness and reduce health risks.
Residents have welcomed the move, expressing hope that itMwill improve living conditions.
“I think this is a very good initiative. The illegal dumps near our homes have been a real
problem, especially for my kids who play outside. If everyone has a bin, our community will
be cleaner,” said Tendai Moyo, a resident of Mkoba 7.
Another resident, Beauty Chikuni from Ascot, added: “We’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time. People just throw their rubbish anywhere, and it makes the environment dirty and unhealthy. I hope the council follows through this time.”
Some residents, however, expressed cautious optimism.
“It’s a good plan on paper, but it must be implemented properly. We need the bins and
regular collection, otherwise people will go back to dumping,” said Godfrey Nyoni, a local
trader in Gweru CBD.
With the renewed program, the council hopes the availability of refuse receptacles will encourage residents to store waste responsibly and discourage dumping in undesignated areas.
The city is expected to announce the rollout details, including the pricing model and distribution mechanisms, in the coming weeks
