Growing frustration over worsening litter in Harare’s central business district has sparked calls for stronger enforcement and better waste management as residents say street vending and inadequate bin infrastructure are contributing to the problem.

Concerned residents who walked through areas such as Chinhoyi Street, Cameron Street, Park Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue say piles of vegetable waste, plastics and other materials are increasingly visible, raising questions about the city’s daily cleaning systems.

Harare resident Tawanda Muchengeti said vendors operating in the city centre should take responsibility for cleaning their trading spaces.

“I took a walk in town and noticed a lot of dirt caused by vendors including vegetables, plastics and other materials,” he said.

“This dirt can easily be avoided if vendors clean their operating areas at the end of the day and the city authorities enforce monitoring.”

He suggested that the deployment of mobile waste bins could significantly improve sanitation in busy vending areas.

“Vendors who fail to sweep their areas should not be allocated market stalls or vending spaces because cleanliness must be part of doing business in the city,” Muchengeti said.

Another resident Rudo Chikomba said the problem is not unique to Harare, adding that littering has become common in several towns across the country.

“This is happening in almost every town and city. We even see office workers cleaning some of the dumped dirt during community clean-up campaigns,” she said.

“But the people who create the mess are still operating in those same areas.”

Others argue that local authorities must also take responsibility for improving waste management systems in the city centre.

Farai Mutambanengwe, a Harare resident, said the shortage of rubbish bins in the central business district is worsening the situation.

“Council is also part of the problem because there are very few bins in town, most of them were donated by companies or individuals,” he said.

“There should be a clear system that prevents vandalism but still ensures bins are available for people to dispose of waste properly.”

Residents have also suggested alternative low-cost solutions to improve waste collection.

Blessing Chari proposed installing metal drums mounted on steel posts that can be rotated for emptying.

“They can use metal drums cut in half and mounted on steel posts. Those are cheap, durable and difficult to steal,” he said.

Beyond sanitation concerns, residents also raised awareness about consumer rights following an incident in a retail shop.

Simbarashe Gondo said he recently intervened when shop attendants tried to force a customer to pay for a damaged item.

“The attendants accused a woman of breaking a wall clock, but she insisted it was already broken,” he said.

“I reminded them that the Consumer Protection Act protects customers in such situations and they eventually allowed her to leave.”

Another resident Nyasha Makoni said there is also a need for consumer education among shop owners and retail workers.

“The  Council should introduce awareness programmes on the effects of littering around the areas” she said.

Residents said  addressing waste management, strengthening consumer awareness and enforcing regulations could help improve order and cleanliness in Zimbabwe’s urban centres.