Tanaka Chare & Savious Madanhire
In the pursuit of a cleaner and healthier environment, Mckingtorch Zimbabwe hosted an innovative zero-waste practices workshop for environmentalists and development practitioners in Gweru.
The workshop promoted upcycling and recycling waste to combat climate change issues, was facilitated by two Mckingtorch environmentalists.Speaking during the workshop, Precious Zvimba shared insights on the mantra and benefits of waste management through various practices such as recycling, upcycling, and composting.
“Our mantra is 5R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.
The first step is refusing to use materials like plastic and habits that are not sustainable. Reduce means we should minimize the use of plastics and dump them in landfills.
Reuse means using the same product for a different use. Repurpose means using the same product for different uses. Recycle means reprocessing the material into something.”
“It is our responsibility to be intentional in waste management that includes composting organic matter, recycling plastic and crafting some of the material instead of disposing it in landfills.
We have to take into account the issues of climate justice because as Africa we are the ones who suffer, ” she said.
Furthermore, Muguti showcased some of the products made by the organization from recycled materials.
“We make sandals, belts, shopping bags, door mats and car mats from recycled motor tires and recycled plastic. It is all about finding the aesthetics in recycled materials.
Our crafts generate income  for our organisation that enables us to sponsor other projects.
“Meanwhile, Mckingtorch Zimbabwe is also training women and primary school students in Lower Gweru and Bulawayo to craft products from recycled materials.
“As of now, we are training women in lower Gweru and Bulawayo to craft shoes and jewellery while primary school students, we have also equipped them with skills that enable them to craft door mats and car mats.
This has been a benevolent idea because it has unlocked their creativity such that they are coming up with their designs and art pieces which is something that puts a smile on our faces as Mckingtorch Zimbabwe, ” added Muguti.
The facilitators went on to say, that they are planning a cleanup campaign for people in Gweru urban, aiming to manage waste and educate residents on reprocessing and recycled products.
“We are planning a cleanup campaign for urban Gweru residents, so that we can manage waste in our city then we uphold a workshop to teach them how to reprocess products from recycled products,” Zvimba said.
