In a bid to promote waste management and environmental conservation, Green Action for Sustainable Production (GASP) has engaged the Luzira Landing Site community also known as Port Bell in a waste drive as part of Uganda’s eighth Water and Environment Week celebrations.
The GASP Waste Drive is a joint effort by four active members; Crown Beverages Limited, Uganda Breweries, Harris International Limited, and Mukwano Industries aimed at fostering sustainable waste management practices within local communities.
During the drive, GASP donated garbage bins to the Luzira Landing Site community, reinforcing the importance of proper waste disposal and environmental conservation.
The initiative seeks to empower residents to take an active role in keeping their surroundings clean and reducing pollution, particularly around Lake Victoria, which faces significant environmental threats.
Speaking at the event, Suleiman Ngondi, the Interim Chief Executive Officer of GASP, emphasized that as a new organization, they saw it fit to introduce themselves to the public through this educational initiative.
"We chose to introduce ourselves through this impactful activity, which also serves as an educational platform for communities. Effective waste management must start from the grassroots," he stated.
Ngondi highlighted the need for a cultural shift in waste management, stressing that consumer education is crucial in helping individuals understand how to handle waste responsibly.
"Managing waste effectively requires a change in mindset. Consumer education plays a vital role in ensuring people know what to do with waste. Consumers must go beyond simply enjoying products and start questioning where their waste ends up," he explained.
He further noted that GASP is taking the lead in providing solutions by collecting waste on behalf of its members and encouraged others to participate.
"We are pioneering a solution by facilitating waste collection for our members, and we believe more organizations should get involved," he said.
Ngondi called on more companies to join their efforts, emphasizing that waste management is a systemic issue that requires collective action.
"We are urging more companies to join this cause because addressing waste management effectively requires everyone’s involvement. We need as many member companies as possible to tackle this challenge comprehensively," he concluded.
Dan Kiguli Kibuuka, from NEMA, commended companies for coming together to implement extended producer responsibility and product stewardship.
He noted that they are pleased to see the provisions within the National Environment Act, Chapter 181, which require manufacturers to undertake extended producer responsibility and product stewardship, beginning to be implemented.
"As required by the National Environment waste management regulations and instrument 49 of page 20, even before a better detailed graduation for extended producer responsibility and products had been gazetted. At the moment, NEMA has put up principles for this area, the National Environment Extended Producer's Responsibility, and they are yet to get stakeholders to get the input and have it gazetted. So I'm happy that these companies have gone ahead and started implementing so that they can guide the law development and also help interesting this regulation," he added.
Grace Nshemeire-Gwaku, the Chief Operating Officer at PSFU, praised GASP for its initiative, noting that Uganda imports a significant amount of waste and products that are at the end of their lifecycle. She expressed her gratitude that companies have joined forces to help conserve the environment.
Sheilla Sabone, the Corporate Director at UBL, stated that they have donated bins, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of companies to educate people while the people, in turn, drive the mindset change. "People can drive the mindset to say that this is actually waste that cannot decompose," she noted. She added that their goal is to collaborate with distributors, companies, and individuals to support this initiative.
Elizabeth Barungi, the Chairperson of LC1 Railway Quarters Village at Luzira Port Bell, thanked GASP members for their noble initiative. She encouraged the community to make use of the donated equipment to improve hygiene in the area.
The event included various activities, beginning with community engagement in sustainable waste management. Volunteers and stakeholders participated in community clean-up efforts, collecting and segregating waste to ensure proper disposal.