Burning has become a common method of disposing of garbage but most people who burn their waste do not realize how harmful this practice is to their health and to the environment. If that’s not enough to stop you, it is also illegal. Here are five alternatives:

Reduce: Avoid waste. Buy fewer items and select products with the least packaging.

Re-use: Buy products that can be re-used and/or come in containers that can be re-filled.

Recycle: Learn about your community’s recycling programs. Dispose of your recyclables accordingly and urge others to do the same.

Compost: Compost plant-based kitchen and yard waste (see p14).

Dispose: Use the weekly municipal refuge collection, or contact City of Harare for additional removal of waste. Contact Director of Waste Management Mr Chibanda on wmanagement4@gmail.com or call 770362 or 780127.

All illegal burning can be reported to the City of Harare:
General Line: 781810–16 and 752577–9.
Donald Sakupwanya at Waste Management Department 770339.

You can also call the Environmental Management Agency on issues of illegal burning on toll free number 080 80028 and landline number 705671 / 705661-2

Thanks to Environment Africa and Miracle Missions for this useful information.