Ema says churches should consider rubbish business

Zim Now Writer

The Environmental Management Agency says churches should consider starting waste management businesses as it is a potentially lucrative revenue stream given the amount of rubbish lying around the country.

EMA has engaged the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and together they brought together church leaders from different denominations at a workshop in Bulawayo on Tuesday to proffer solutions on how waste can be managed.

EMA’s Acting Principal Officer Environmental Education and Publicity, Liberty Mugadza, said a lot of businesses can be started using waste.

“People who are into the recycling business at the moment are making big money. If you could look at scrap and plastic collectors, they are making money and cleaning the environment at the same time,” he said.

Mugadza said churches can have small projects where they will be managing waste, adding that congregants can do the same in their own homes.

ZCC Co-Coordinator Kudzainishe Dhliwayo said EMA must train congregants directly and not concentrate on church leaders.

He noted though that the ZCC will incorporate the lessons learnt on their Environmental Commission Desk to ensure that every church is challenged to practise waste management.

The ZCC’s Environmental Commission Desk, Dhliwayo said, ensures that churches come together to protect the environment.

“We hope once EMA gets funds to help start some initiatives, we will also get these funds so that we can boost our waste management businesses,” Dhliwayo said.