EMA Spearheads Zimbabwe’s World Clean-Up Day to combat Textile and Plastic Pollution

Buhlebenkosi Nkomo

Zimbabwe today joins millions around the world in marking World Clean-Up Day, a global campaign to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices. This year’s theme is “Strive for Five – Tackling Fashion and Textile Waste.”

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is leading local activities under the banner “Ending Plastic and Textile Pollution.” The agency says the focus goes beyond removing litter to addressing habits that drive long-term environmental harm. “This is not just about picking up litter. We’re encouraging communities to rethink their habits, especially around fast fashion and single-use plastics, which contribute to long-term environmental damage,” said EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange.

“This year, we are moving away from a throwaway culture. We are urging individuals and businesses to shift towards a ‘take-make-reuse’ model,” Sidange added. “This reduces our carbon footprint and promotes smarter, more sustainable choices across the board.”

EMA notes that the fashion industry is a major polluter due to synthetic materials that do not easily break down. The agency is encouraging Zimbabweans to reuse clothes, find new uses for old items, and recycle more to curb textile waste.World Clean-Up Day is part of Zimbabwe’s broader Clean-Up Month of September campaign, which includes clean-up events and awareness drives across the country.

In Harare, Lions International will host a clean-up at Glen View 8 Complex, inviting participants to bring plastic waste for recycling. The Recyclers Association of Zimbabwe and various community groups are organizing similar events in suburbs across the capital.

In Bulawayo, the Mafakela Health Taskforce in Luveve and St Padre Pio Parish in Emakhandeni will carry out neighbourhood clean-ups. EMA has also called on the media to spotlight local efforts and encourage wider participation.

Sidange urged citizens to view clean-up efforts as a daily responsibility rather than a once-off campaign.“We want to promote responsible consumption, recycling, and a circular economy that benefits both the environment and society,” she said.

“The Agency is calling for us all to embrace cleaning up as a day-to-day culture and to exhibit this on World Clean-Up Day,” Sidange added.