MILLICENT HUNGWE
HIPPO VALLEY-In a bid to mitigate water pollution, the biggest sugar concern in the country, Tongaat Hulett has implemented a landfill system to dispose waste to protect underground water table.
This innovative approach was showcased to Masvingo based journalists during a media tour organized by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) on July 16 in Chiredzi.
The project is a sign of the company’s commitment towards sustainable environmental practices and responsible waste management.
The company’s safety, health, and environmental sustainability executive, Crispen Mhoshiwa, told The Midweek Watch that while there are laws in place to protect underground water, Tongaat is going beyond compliance by investing in innovative technology to ensure the highest standards of environmental stewardship.
Environmental and service manager, Bekithemba Ndlovu, elaborated on the progress made since the beginning of the project in November last year.
The landfill project is expected to be complete and fully functional by August 2024.
The landfill is 8,750 cubic meters and is designed to accommodate the waste generated by Tongaat’s operations for the next 10-15 years.
“We have built a sump that will serve as a collection point for leachate, offering two strategic options for its utilization: either it can be left to evaporate naturally, reducing its volume or it can be actively integrated into the composting process, enhancing the decomposition rate of the Landfill.”
The Midweek Watch confirmed that there will be construction of two control boreholes that will facilitate ongoing monitoring and analysis of groundwater quality, enabling the detection of any potential impacts or contaminants emanating from the landfill.
The landfill will be securely enclosed by a fence, preventing unauthorized access and effectively controlling scavenging activities by the local community, minimizing the risks associated with exposure to hazardous waste by locals while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for nearby residents.
Amkela Sidange, EMA environmental education and publicity manager, emphasized that companies planning to establish landfills should prioritize sites that have already been utilized for other purposes and urged them to make sure to close up the landfills after their lifespan.
“EMA’s aspiration is to promote landfills as a sustainable waste disposal method across all corporate sectors, emphasizing the importance of proper waste management and minimizing environmental impacts.
“By adopting landfills as a best practice, Zimbabwe can effectively manage waste, protect the environment, and foster a culture of sustainability,” said Sidange.
