By Moses Ziyambi
Recycling of waste material has become a success story in Masvingo after Clester, a company specialising in waste management, arrived on the scene with a vision to turn rubbish into wealthy as well as help clean up the environment.
Also known as “The Cleaners”, Clester is an agent of National Waste Collection and the sole provider of recycling services in the city, running a waste collection centre in the industrial area.
The place is a hive of activity with tones of baled plastic containers, aluminum cans, ordinary plastics as well as cardboard boxes forming huge piles.
“Our organisation deals in recyclable material; we accept most waste material that people would normally throw away as litter,” said Clester’s Operations Manager Adonia Rwatirera.
“We work closely work with big institutions as well as small community groups and health clubs who supply the material that we need,” he said, singling out Great Zimbabwe University and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department as among the biggest contributors.
In response to the opportunity to make money, most wards in the city have organised health clubs that gather waste into required minimum tonnage before selling it to Clester.
Women at work … women captured at rubbish recycling site
Waste Management Site, a grouping of dozens of women from health clubs in wards one to seven, has involved dozens of old women in its activities at its base in Mucheke.
“Our goal is to create income-generating opportunities for old women who do not have much yet they have to look after their orphaned grandchildren. In a way, we are also helping to clean our surroundings and maintaining a healthy environment,” said the group’s Apex Chairperson, Florence Chiwera.
Meanwhile, the efforts of the health clubs and Clester have gained the blessing of city council and Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Women captured cleaning plastic papers
“The work that is being done is remarkable as it offers residents of our city the opportunity to make money from waste. Besides, it’s a venture that strikes a chord with our commitments to our environment,” said Masvingo city council chief Environmental Health Officer Zvapano Munganasa.health
