GGML marks World Environment Day by educating communities to beat plastic pollution
RIDING a bicycle in Geita Town on 5th June, Kabula was met by an old friend, Misoka from Mwanza who reminded her of how they used to play and plant trees to together conserve the environments back in 1990s.
As they shared the heyday stories, Kabula said that she did not know that one day in her life she would live to commemorate the World Environment Day, because to her the environment was conserved so long as the ground/soil was supporting the people to grow crops and rear livestock to earn a living.
To her surprise she was told that things have changed to the point that this year-on World Environment Day 5th June- is a stark reminder that people’s actions of abusing the environment by recklessly throwing plastics was causing pollution and matters. Hence, the steps governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the consequence of this action.
As the narration continued, they got enticed by Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML), one of the AngloGold Ashanti’s flagship mines in Tanzania, marking the day with educational activities on the different types of plastics and the donation of containers to enable the public properly separate plastic wastes as they dispose them.
As the event progressed in Geita town, where GGML staff and local government authorities were working together to raise awareness on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling plastics, they learnt that the day is celebrated annually on 5th June to encourage awareness and action of all stakeholders as well as the public to protect the environment
In quick analysis of the occasion-the World Environment Day, first held in 1973 has been a platform for raising awareness on environmental issues as marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development and wildlife crime continue. It is a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually. Each year, the program has provided a theme and forum for businesses, non-government organisations, communities, governments and celebrities to advocate environmental conservation.
This year the theme is ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’, because plastic waste is a global problem that poses many threats to the environment, wildlife and human health.
For that matter, the GGML is aware that mining has a direct impact on the environment as land and water resources need to be developed. The company is committed to environmental stewardship and has taken various measures to minimise its environmental footprint and enhance its positive contribution to the communities around Geita.
One of these measures is the management of plastic waste from various sources such as packaging materials, personal protective equipment, water bottles and food containers. Here, the company also trains its employees and contractors to separate and dispose of different types of waste using colour-coded and labelled bins.
Equally, it tasks all its employees and contractors to receive environmental training to ensure compliance with waste management policies and procedures.
Reached for a comment-the company’s Environmental Manager, Yusuph Mhando, said, “We are proud to celebrate World Environment Day and share our best practices with the communities around Geita. We believe that by educating and empowering people to properly separate plastic waste, we can make a positive difference in the fight against plastic pollution. We also encourage everyone to embrace the 3Rs principle: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle plastics whenever possible.”
