Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) is calling upon various stakeholders in Bulawayo to respond to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s request to inspect the proposed Solid Waste Management and Environmental Management bylaws.
The by-laws, according to MIHR Coordinator Khumbalani Maphosa, will have a direct influence on the operations of waste pickers and upcyclers in the city who rely on waste picking to sustain their livelihoods.
On October 29, 2023, BCC announced it was proposing three new by-laws and encouraged all stakeholders to inspect these proposed by-laws and make their own proposals or objections via the Town Clerk or by email within a period of 30 days.
The new proposed by-laws are on Solid Waste Management, Fire Brigade and Environmental Management.
“The Solid Waste Management and Environmental Management by-laws will have a direct impact on the operations of more than 1,000 Bulawayo waste pickers and up cyclers who are relying on waste picking as their sole livelihood option, and numerous waste recycling companies who employ hundreds of workers within their value chain,” Maphosa told CITE.
“The by-laws will also have a direct impact on residents and companies on how they manage and dispose of their waste.”
The environmental activist said MIHR has done an analysis of two by-laws and began engaging the waste pickers on some contentious and inadequate clauses.
“We will soon be engaging the BCC officials on the by-laws before the 30-day expiration period,” he said.
Maphosa noted the proposed by-laws may contain or even fail to capture certain vital issues that are important to the City’s Solid Waste Management and Environmental Management, therefore it is important for residents to engage the proposed by-laws.
“Citizen involvement and participation in policy-making processes is a human right enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and therefore it is imperative for Bulawayo stakeholders and citizens to actively participate in this process,” he said.
“After the expiry of the 30-day period, there may be less room to influence these important by-laws which are critical to the cleanliness and environmental management of the City.”
The environmental activist pointed out that solid waste is no longer just dirt, but is now a serious raw material business that contributes to a globally thriving waste circular economy, estimated to have a global worth of US$1 Trillion by year 2025 and US$4.5 trillion by year 2030.
