29/07/2025
Zomba City’s Plastic Waste Situation: A Call for Urgent Action.
Zomba City is now facing a growing environmental threat due to rampant plastic pollution. Recent field walks by the Energy and Environmental Center (EEC) have identified multiple plastic waste hotspots across marketplaces, riversides, residential zones, and school surroundings.
Key areas such as city markets, Likangala River, Old Naisi, and Zakazaka near Police CCAP are heavily impacted by uncollected plastic waste, including plastic bottles, food wrappers, sachets, and baby diapers.
The plastic pollution is seriously blocking drainage systems, increasing flood risks, polluting the air through open burning, and contributing to outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera. Soil contamination from non-biodegradable plastics is also threatening agriculture and food security, while waste around schools poses serious health hazards to children.
In response to this plastic pollution crisis, the Environmental and Energy Centre (EEC) is urging the Zomba City Council and all stakeholders to take swift and coordinated action. Immediate priorities include establishing reliable waste collection systems in critical areas such as markets, homes, and riverside communities, where pollution is most acute. The enforcement of existing waste disposal laws is essential to curb illegal dumping and promote accountability. In addition, fostering recycling initiatives and supporting grassroots cleanup efforts can help restore polluted areas and build community ownership.
Zomba’s future depends on how swiftly and effectively we act.
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