By: Ollus Ndomu
The mounting calls to save the planet from the worsening climate change, are wholestic and requires every man and woman’s positive response. Among principal contributors to the world’s climate change is pollution from plastic waste. Pastic remains one of most persistent pollutants in the whole wide world. Largely made from ethylene and propylene, plastic is estimated to last for 400 years or more. And at every step in its lifecycle, even long after it has been discarded, plastic creates greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the warming of our world, the WorldWide Fund reported.
In May 2019, the Center for International Environmental Law,
concluded in its comprehensive report that the impact of plastic production on the world’s climate that year would equate to the output of 189 coal-fired power stations. It is also estimated that by 2050, plastic production triple, and will account for up to 13% of the Earth’s total carbon budget.
In developing countries like Zambia, the government is working tirelessly to raise awareness about climate change which nearing crisis. With the coming of President Hakainde Hichilema in power in 2021, the government introduced the Green Economy Ministry which among other things seeks to champion environmental preservation and foster the culture of responsibility towards nature.
Musanya Silungwe, an entrepreneur from Solwezi town in the heart of Northwestern Province, is making significant strides in championing the cause of environmental preservation. The 25-old man owns a “Build Smart Business,” company which recycles plastic wastes, disposable beer bottles into useable products including pavers, building blocks, tiles, poles and flower pots. According to his words first quoted by the local Zambia Daily Star, Zambia’s increased lack of solid waste control inspired Silungwe to venture into plastic recycling. He says lack of solid waste control is a threat to nature and the future of planet earth.
The highly ambitious spoken entrepreneur plans to build the business and spread it across the country to ensure that the problem of plastic waste is dealt with.
In an interview with local media mid November 2022, Silungwe said it is everyone’s responsibility to deal with the plastic waste problem. His singular innovation breaks the culture where only councils were to take responsibility for controlling plastic waste and waste in general.
The Zambian government through the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Elias Mubanga and IDC Chief Investment Officer Brian Nalishuwa have pledged to give the innovation maximum support.
