Four firms team up in Blantyre clean-up drive

Four firms have contributed towards the Blantyre City Council-run markets clean-up drive that will see the buying of separation bins and transportation of waste to a composting site in Chigumula on the outskirts of the city.

In the new clean-up agreement signed in Blantyre on Friday, Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc donated K4.5 million, Rotary Club of Limbe contributed K1.5 million while Kips Restaurant and Eshani Products made a joint sponsorship of K1.5 million.

Waste Advisers managing director Billy Bray, whose firm are the project implementers, thanked the sponsors for the money which was used to buy 160 separation bins to be installed in various markets in the city.

He said the bins will simplify separation and collection of organic waste.

Said Bray: “As long as waste is combined, it has little value, but once separated, the informal sector starts to use the non-organics.

“Separated organic waste is transported to composting sites where the council is partnering with composters to create quality compost.”

Blantyre City mayor Wild Ndipo thanked Waste Advisers for taking action to have cleaner markets by brokering the deal with the four firms.

He said: “It is easy to complain. It is easy to voice your frustration about things you feel could be done better.

“It is easy to blame and point fingers. What is much harder, however, is to take action.”

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc communication and stakeholder relations manager Olive Kawelama said the donation was in line with her firm’s core purpose of playing a role in creating a thriving community.

“Recycling is an important practice as with it comes many benefits in tackling issues of environment and climate change,” she said.

The donation follows a K4.92 million donation by Medical Aid Society of Malawi which was used to buy 80 separation bins, a refuse skip and payment for waste transportation for three months.