Mutare Eyes Waste Revolution

As cities worldwide adopt circular waste management practices, Mutare is exploring a shift from traditional dumping to sustainable solutions. A feasibility study is underway on waste-to-energy projects, inspired by Harare's Geo Pomona initiative. The study aims to transition Mutare from a linear waste disposal system to a circular model, addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns.

Zimbabwe's current linear approach to waste management, where waste is generated, collected, and dumped, has been criticized for being outdated and environmentally damaging. This approach merely relocates problems rather than solving them. In contrast, a circular model could turn waste into energy or reusable resources, reducing pollution and setting a precedent for sustainable waste management across Manicaland.  Follow & Share Our WhatsApp Channel

Globally, systems now treat waste as a resource, with recycling and energy recovery reducing accumulation and environmental harm. Harare City Council's partnership with Geo Pomona Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd is cited as a leading example, with the waste-to-energy project described as one of Southern Africa's most advanced public-private partnerships.

Residents' groups have urged authorities to safeguard public interests, warning against projects that prioritize profits over affordability. The United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust programs director, Edison Dube, noted that ratepayers are already overburdened.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) emphasized Zimbabwe's commitment to circular economy practices, highlighting the importance of waste separation at source, composting of organic waste, and plastics recycling. EMA principal environmental education and publicity officer Liberty Mugadza cautioned that waste-to-energy plants require steady feedstock and can become uneconomic if waste volumes fall.