Positive move By Nausori, Nasinu in litter prevention enforcement

It is encouraging that Nausori and Nasinu Town Councils , two of the country’s most litter-stricken municipalities, have taken the initiative to strengthen their litter prevention enforcement.

Staff members have been trained by the Ministry of Environment to be effective in their jobs.

They are now ready and authorised to crack down on litter bugs. While Nasinu Council special administrator chair Uma Kant Patel talked about commercial waste, they should not forget individuals who habitually litter.

The litter bugs are part of the rubbish brigade whose mindset thinks and believes there is nothing wrong with throwing rubbish indiscriminately.

They think someone else will pick up their rubbish. What needs to happen is that the councils should immediately conduct a public awareness programme to tell the people that from now on there is zero tolerance on littering.

Council wardens will be moving around policing the law.

There could be a grace period given to allow residents to familiarise themselves with the law, enforcement and penalties with a cut-off date.

Once the grace period expires, residents should know that offenders will be fined and prosecuted if they fail to pay the fines.

The process recognises people’s freedom to choose and gives them the opportunity to be informed and educated on why it is important to implement this crackdown on littering.

They need to know that littering not only makes the towns look dirty and ugly it is a health hazard.

If no action is taken it will eventually affect the health and well-being of residents.

The initiative is a win-win situation. It also protects the environment. How many times have we been told not to throw away plastics. They can get washed away during heavy rain into waterways which flow into streams, rivers and finally the sea.

In the plastics water journey they are a threat to living organisms and marine life. Ultimately it affects our food sources and livelihoods. That’s the grim reality if we do not stop littering.

Once we absorb this vision, the mindset will change. One plastic wrapping thrown on the ground is one too many. Imagine if 1000 residents do the same thing in one of their trips to town.

The town’s rubbish collectors may not collect all. The remainder will eventually find their way into drains and waterways.

The importance of this initiative cannot be overemphasised because of its serious implications.

The councils may need to solicit support in carrying out its awareness programme from the stakeholders within the town boundaries.

The stakeholders include, community leaders, faith groups, sports and social clubs, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), schools and businesses.

The councils can also invite government agencies, the Police, health and environment ministries to support their programme.

There will be more success in this collaborative approach.

We have talked too long about our litter problem. We get excited, get stuck into it then it runs cold.

Sustainability is our biggest challenge. Let’s hope this new initiative does not turn out like one of those hot and cold ones.