Solve trash problems

The trash collection problem at the Cambridge informal settlement is an obvious health hazard, not just for its residents but the whole city. Rats breed communicable diseases. Clean cities, on the other hand, attract tourism.

The problem seems to fall into three broad areas – structure, human resources and funding.

Informal settlements lack infrastructure for trash collection. A bulk trash collection structure seems more suitable. There is the model construction companies use at construction sites.

High-capacity trash containers are stationed in plots within the informal settlements for residents to directly deposit their trash. A truck collects the containers when full, replacing them with a new container.

This structure, however, requires human resources at the community level, perhaps volunteers to manage the collection system and respond to challenges such as safety or keeping the dumpster area clean. The challenge may be a low sense of civic duty. A high level of civic feeling in communities can make the difference between a thriving community and a chaotic one.

People may not pick up after themselves or pull together in communities with a low sense of civic duty. A change in behaviour through education may be the solution.

To manage this new trash collection system a governing civic council that is non-political is a must at community level.

The third area of the trash problem revolves around resources. We can probably obtain old shipping containers from Safmarine. They are already adapted for truck transport.

Public and private funds or a tender to a private company can be explored. Some of the containers can probably be used for public toilets and showers.

Keeping the city clean of trash is a city-wide challenge. It requires a task force at the mayor’s office to mobilise community ideas on how to keep our city clean.

– Wongaletu Vanda, via e-mail