Manzini’s Green Economic Empowerment Solution: Buy Back Centre Puts E200,000 in Citizens’ Pockets
The acceptable norm is that for one to generate income, they either need to be employed and earn a salary or venture into business and generate profit. However, a couple of years ago the globe discovered a new and simpler way of generating income; and that is through waste recycling. Instead of disposing recyclable waste into the litter bin, one can sell the waste to their nearest waste material recovery facility and make money whilst also contributing to protection of the environment. Towards the end of year 2020, and in line with global environmental practices, the Municipal Council of Manzini established a waste material recovery facility (referred to as the Manzini Buy Back Centre) from which hundreds of citizens are already making money out of recyclable waste material. Instead of dumping waste in undeveloped plots and public open spaces, they sort out the waste from source and sell that which is recyclable to the Manzini Buy Back Centre. Some wander about the city in search of disposed recyclable material; just so they can sell to the facility and be able to put food on the table. The Buy Back Centre is located at the far end of Esselen street near Manzini SEDCO premises and below the municipal abattoir.
According to information sourced from the Buy Back Centre, between 30 and 40 citizens, from both within the city and outside, stream down Esselen street on a daily basis to sell a myriad of recyclable waste including aluminium cans, scrap metal, cartons, old books and stationery, old newspapers, glass material and plastic material. You can do that too as an additional income source. What mostly excites citizens who have experienced the Buy Back centre is that they get paid right on the spot and the fees paid depend on the weight and type of material brought in. According to Manzini Buy Back Centre Operations Manager Sipho Gama, the facility paid out approximately E200, 000 to citizens in the year 2021 alone. Most of these are citizens who may have otherwise resorted to unacceptable social behavior as a means of survival. The Buy Back Centre success story is a big milestone for the Municipality; moreso because it resonates with two strategic objectives of the Municipality under the ongoing 2019-2024 Integrated Development Plan (IDP). These are ‘To ensure inclusive socio-economic development in the Manzini urban area by 2024’ as well as ‘To provide responsive integrated health and social welfare services by 2024’. The Buy Back Centre is also a product of the Municipality’s Integrated Waste Management Plan. One other positive effect of the Buy Back Centre is that it helps reduce waste that finds its way into the Municipal Controlled Dumpsite; thereby extending the waste disposal site’s useful life.
It also resonates with the city’s Local Economic Development (LED) strategy; which, amongst others, seeks to create a conducive environment for business (both formal and informal) to thrive in the city. The facility opens from 8am to 4:45pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 8am to 4:30pm on Fridays and 8am to 12Noon on Saturdays. Any citizen regardless of age, citizenship and gender is welcome to bring recyclable waste material to the Manzini Buy Back Centre and make money. The business sector is also welcome to bring recyclable waste material to the Manzini Buy Back Centre and generate some income. The Buy Back Centre also provides transportation services for bulk recyclable waste free-of-charge; even outside the urban boundary. The Operations Manager may be contacted on 7636 7412 for collection of bulk waste and for more information and clarity in terms of waste that is acceptable at the Buy Back Centre. The Municipal Council of Manzini encourages all citizens of the city to make use of this green solution, not only for ensuring protection of the environment from harmful pollutants, but also contribute to achievement of Goal Number 11 of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which advocates for sustainable cities and communities. The Buy Back Centre also provides opportunities for citizens to accumulate interest-free start-up capital for their desired businesses. The youth is encouraged to consider this route as the springboard to their preferred entrepreneurship ventures.
…MUNICIPALITY, POLICE, GIRL GUIDES, SCHOOL COLLABORATE TOWARDS MANZINI CITY CLEAN-UP
…Manzini citizens, visitors urged to stop littering in the city
As part of a drive towards a green and clean vibrant City of Manzini, the Municipal Council of Manzini in collaboration with the Manzini Crime Prevention Unit of the Royal Eswatini Police Service, Eswatini Girl Guides Association and Manzini Infact Primary School held a clean-up campaign that was aimed at encouraging zero littering in the City of Manzini. The contingent collected litter in different parts of the city including the Central Distributor road, Ingabisa Street, Gcina Street, Inkhanyeti Street, Msizi Street, Lunyatsi Street and Inyatsi road (all in Sterkstroom). This anti-littering campaign served as a reminder to all city citizens of the importance of keeping the City of Manzini green and clean at all times. As part of the above-mentioned activity, citizens were reminded that littering and dumping of waste in undesignated areas is strictly prohibited. If caught, the fines can go up to tens of thousands of Emalangeni. The following photos were taken during the clean-up exercise…
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The Municipal Council of Manzini values municipal service delivery customer feedback. Over and above the 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) the Municipality invites you to engage with it on its social media platforms and be assured to get a response within reasonable time. Please talk to us. We are always ready to listen and take positive action; Our social media pages and handles are as follows:
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