Promoting clean environment through environmental education and garbage collection

Background

From December 2021 to November 2022, an environmental restoration project is being implemented in Lusarira Trading Center, Mubende District, Republic of Uganda, with a grant from the Taisei Trust for Nature and Historic Environment Fund.

◆Environmental deterioration due to garbage?!

Lusalira trading Centre is one of the fastest growing rural growth Centre in Mubende district. It is located in the Centre of Kibalinga subcounty at one of the busiest road junctions that connects to Kampala -Fort portal DR. Congo boarder. This trading center as a population of about 5000 people who are generating and indiscriminately dropping at least one half a ton of garbage per day.

Lusalira trading Centre is currently faced with a serious problem of poor garbage disposal. Households drop waste any how anywhere. The garbage generated includes both decomposable (food left overs, banana leaves, papers among others) and non-decomposable (polythene papers, plastic bottles and bags among others waste.)

◆Why is this happening ??

Trash/garbage that is being littered anywhere is comprised of mostly none decomposable -plastics, polythene papers and bags. Such waste ends up in the soil and affects soil aeration. This same waste clogs water channels and streams leading to contamination of open water sources used by both people and domestic animals further worsening the situation due to resultant water borne diseases. SORAK has learnt the population in Lusalira trading Centre lack knowledge and awareness of the damage being created by the indiscriminate disposal of waste on environment deterioration. People are also not aware that this garbage can be safely collected and used on farm as organic manure while others can be sold to recycling industries.

◆In response to this situation, we will carry out the following activities.

＜Objectives＞

To promote education and awareness on safe disposal and alternative use of garbage in Lusalira trading Centre.
Promote good waste disposal practice of sorting and utilization as manure and raw materials for recycling in Lusalira trading Centre.
To enforce good garbage disposal and environmental cleanliness in Lusalira trading Centre

＜Target population＞

Total of 1,000 households with a population of 5,000 people

＜Activities＞

Promote education on safe disposal and alternative use of garbage. (A community-based radio communication system established, daily environmental education talks and spot messages are aired)
Good waste disposal practice of sorting and utilization as compost manure and raw material for recycling industry. (Inc. setting up garbage containers)
A community based environmental protection monitoring group established (monitoring and teaching safe garbage disposal), making by-laws and monitoring their implementation

＜Expected outcomes＞

People will learn and become aware of environmental protection and safe garbage disposal and sorting through community radio talks
Residents will be able to properly dispose of garbage, compost organic waste, and separate and utilize recyclable waste
A sustainable environmental conservation system can be established in the district through activities by the environmental protection monitoring group established by this project and legislation in cooperation with local governments.