Keeping Malawi Clean

Dorothy’s family is on a trip. They have bought pizza and canned refreshments-and they enjoy them. Then comes the time to deal with the pizza box and cans.

One of the children asks, ‘mom, where do we put this pizza box? ‘She responds, ‘open the window and throw it outside. I don’t want any litter in my car.’

I call this, the convenience spirit.

Dorothy’s words affirm that, she has a sense of cleanliness, as long as it involves an environment that she lives in. She cares less about the cleanliness of any other place.

We also see this, with those of us who take public transport. We are very comfortable to throw out of the window, used recharge vouchers, bottles and cigarette butt, among others. As long as this litter is not where we are; it is fine.

This is the same spirit that makes gentlemen, who have also received the best education in the world, apply ‘liquid fertilizer’ to all the trees and walls in towns. Surprisingly, they are no traces of urine on the walls of their bedroom.

It is the same spirit that makes the residents of those mansions, throw their trash outside of their compound. As long as my house and compound is clean, that is fine.

Families that try to manage litter are frustrated by garbage trucks that do not come to collect bins. Kawale in Lilongwe is an example of an area where residents do not remember the last time a garbage truck came to collect garbage.

My favourite is when you see an empty bin that is surrounded by litter. This is very common in markets. You wonder, what was so difficult with just taking one step to drop this trash into the bin?

Then, you have companies that also have joined in this business. They just look for the closest river around and drop all their waste into it. Trust me; this is very convenient and cost effective for the company.

You see the spirit of convenience has permeated our society. So how do we deal with it?

Firstly, when you are planning for a road trip, put bin bags on your budget. Use these bin bags when you are on the road. Once you arrive at your destination, then you can dispose of the bin bag. Bin bags are cheap.

Secondly, do not piss on any tree or wall. We do not need the extra fertiliser .If it is an emergency, look for one of those ‘pay in toilets’.

Thirdly, if you are late, you are late. Trust me that last step is not going to save you the time. Take that last step and drop the trash into the bin and not outside it.

Fourthly, for companies, rivers are homes of aquatic animals and plants. Just like you do not want the waste from your companies to find themselves in your living room, the same applies to aquatic animals and plants. They are many cost effective ways of waste management, Google it, or employ someone who will help you to figure that out.

Finally, city councils, we need the garbage truck back.

If we are to observe these simple five steps. Malawi will be a clean country. n