The responsibility for waste management and disposal lies with the local authorities.

These local authorities includes city, town and rural district councils.

Zimbabwe spans an area of 390 590 km and is divided into rural and urban areas. There
are roughly twenty five urban local councils in the country which exist in some
continuum ranging in size and complexity from growth points to towns and cities. In
Zimbabwe, like in most third world countries, waste generation is still at relatively low
levels but there is less scope for reduction. Waste disposal should be done in accordance
with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering conservation, aesthetics
and other environmental considerations. Human beings are bound to produce waste
whether being it in residential areas or workplaces. Smart and health workplaces and
living environments are centred on community engagement, regulations as well as
communication and education to promote the smart environments. In developing
countries, including Zimbabwe, the problem of Solid Waste Management is becoming
complicated and requires long-term and sustainable programmes for its solution. Refuse
collection is affected by social, economic and political factors. According to the UN-
Habitat report (2006), management of solid waste in developing countries consumes 20
to 40 percent of municipal revenue. Refuse collection in urban areas is erratic with most
of it remain uncollected especially in the high density areas. Third world cities lack
funding to purchase up to standard equipment for refuse collection. Equipment and
manpower needed for refuse collection is usually inadequate and in most cases old and
obsolete. Despite the fact that municipals charge for refuse collection, their charges are
very nominal and in some cases fail even to cater for the operational costs. Government
funding and donor community play a crucial role in subsidising the operations of cities
and yet the funding is not consistence with the operations and this result in them failing
to deliver the services. Most of the operational plans are imaginary and theoretical as
they are imposed by the government or adopted from other towns or countries yet they
do not suit the prevailing situation. Urban solid waste management is considered to be
one of the most serious environmental problems confronting developing countries and
Zimbabwe is no exception. However, in most developing country cities, efficient refuse
collection is complicated by poor roads and general access problems which make house-
to-house collection difficult and expensive. Even in those areas where house-to-house
collection is practicable, lack of collection vehicles makes the process irregular and
unreliable. Refuse character and availability of trucks affect frequency of collection.
Landfills represent the dominant alternative for municipal solid waste disposal in most
parts of the world. In many towns and cities in Zimbabwe, municipal solid waste disposal
by sanitary landfill is regarded as the most cost-effective method to protect human
health and the environment. According to the authorities, the goal of waste management
is to ensure that its disposal does not lead to environmental pollution or degradation.
This means that waste management should be undertaken in such a manner that
garbage handlers, the public and the environment are not endangered in any way.
Therefore, waste disposal sites should be located reasonably far away from human
habitation to prevent the migration of vermin and odours to people’s homes. Municipal
Councils, the duty bearers, cannot collect the refuse regularly for a variety of reasons.
Among others, there simply was no fuel, frequent breakdown of waste collection vehicle
or they are in a state of disrepair or planning aids like resources and professionals
involved in local government are not available due to the economic downturn. Both
human and financial resources were simply not available
http://www.jsd-africa.com/Jsda/Vol14No1-
Spring2012A/PDF/Waste%20Management%20in%20Bulawayo%20City%20Council
%20in%20Zimbabwe.Fungai%20Mudzengerere.pdf

http://www.ecsdev.org/images/V2N1/makwara%2067-98.pdf

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jwm/2014/148248/

http://www.tarsc.org/publications/documents/TARSC%20CFH%20SWM%20report%
20Feb2010.pdf

The Role of Environmental Management Agency (EMA)

In order to fulfil its vision of " safe, clean and healthy environment supporting an
empowered society and a growing economy" EMA works in partnership with stakeholders
who are involved in waste management initiatives. The stakeholders include: Community
Based Organisations (CBOs), Litter monitors, Waste Management Committees and Local
Authorities. EMA is a statutory body responsible for ensuring the sustainable
management of natural resources and protection of the environment, the prevention of
pollution and environmental degradation, the preparation of Environmental Plans for the
management and protection of the environment. It was established under the
Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and operationalised on the 17th of
March 2003 through SI 103 of 2003.

EMA’s environmental quality management unit has a mandate to enforce waste

management regulations and implement and monitor waste management programmes.
The agency promotes the participation of community-based organisations in solid waste
management. EMA issued several regulations relevant to waste management: Effluent
and solid Waste disposal Regulations SI 6, 2007. This instrument regulates the disposal
of waste (solid waste and effluent), using the “polluter pays” principle.

Hazardous Waste management Regulations SI 10, 2007

This statutory instrument provides for the issuing of licenses for the generation, storage,
use, recycling, treatment, transportation or disposal of hazardous waste for waste
generators and waste handlers. Generators of hazardous waste are also required to
prepare waste management plans and targets. This statutory instrument also regulates
waste collection and management by local authorities. The importation and exportation
of hazardous waste and waste soils is also regulated by this statutory instrument.
Environmental and natural Resources management (hazardous substances, pesticides
and other toxic substances) (amendment) Regulation, 2011(no2). Amendment of the
Hazardous substances, pesticides and toxic substances Regulations SI 12, 2007.

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 urbanization, industrial growth, the construction
boom, improved lifestyle and unsustainable consumption patterns have all contributed to
the growing solid waste problem. The transit and movement of hazardous substances,
hazardous waste (dangerous goods) and oils through and within Zimbabwe, is prohibited
unless they are cleared through EMA check points. EMA’s presence at border posts is to
ensure compliance with the national legislation and international conventions on all
hazardous substances or hazardous waste that are in transit and those destined for use
in the country.
http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/UNDP%20Waste%20Managem
ent%20Zimbabwe_web_V3.pdf

What are hazardous substances and hazardous waste?

Hazardous substances are materials whether solid, liquid or gaseous, or any organism
which is injurious to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is waste which
is poisonous, corrosive, noxious, explosive, inflammable, toxic or harmful to the
environment.

Procedures for disposal of damaged food commodities by destruction:

At Warehouse /Extended Delivery Point once commodity is suspected to be unfit the

following procedure should be followed:

a. A PHO (Public Health Officer) should be called to assess the condition of the cargo.

b. If found to be unfit for human consumption a condemnation certificate must be

issued by the PHO.

c. The original certificate is to be sent to WFP CO Harare attn: (Head of Logistics).

d. CO will then apply to ZIMRA (Customs) for authority to destroy the commodity, as it
is duty free.

e. On approval of Customs, The documents must be sent to the CD for written approval
to destroy the commodity.

f. The approval can then be sent to the Cooperating Partner/WFP for destruction
arrangements to be made.

g. The Cooperating Partner / WFP will apply to local Municipalities for an appropriate site
and the best method to destroy the damaged food commodities.

h. At destruction, WFP/Cooperating Partner, Public Health Officer or Ministry of Health

representative, a representative of local govt., Zimbabwe Republic Police, ZIMRA
/Customs (if they insist) must be present as witnesses.

N.B Photographs of the destruction process should be taken.

f. A certificate of destruction endorsed by all parties present and stating method of

destruction, must be issued and then sent to WFP Country Office Harare.