Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

New method of trash collection and management introduced in GNP

Nov 24, 2009 - Gorongosa National Park

In the beginning of the present year, Gorongosa National Park (GNP) introduced a technique of selective collection of solid waste and of composting organic trash in the Chitengo tourist camp and in the staff camps located in Nhambita, Site 1 and the Community Education Center, in the scope of its socio-environmental responsibility. 

The collection is done in different recipients colored with internationally standardized covers for each category of trash.  Afterwards, the process continues by depositing separated trash into organic material, inorganic, and dangerous or highly pollutant for the environment. 

The organic trash, namely fruit and vegetable peels, leftovers of other vegetables and food, goes to the compost, where it is efficiently transformed into fertilizing agricultural soil.  According to the Manager of Environmental Impact Evaluation and Health, Edgar Faduco, "the approach alleviates the harmful environmental impacts of the landfills that can affect subterranean waters of diverse forms, including the release of methane gas ". 

In the compost the organic vegetables excesses are piled inside a metallic framework with a cover and a thin layer of ash is placed over the residues that functions as a shield for the smell. The lateral parts of the cage are lined with old tires to avoid the tampering of animals. 


After the trash is decomposed, the final product is transported by car and delivered to the Mbale Ndi Phaza farmers association that is dedicated to organic agriculture in the community of the Vinho, in Nhamatanda.  It uses it as a nutrient in the farming of their crops. 

Meanwhile, the metals, tins, glass remainders, bottles, plastic packaging and disposables are stored in exclusive areas to subsequently be directed to trash recycling institutions. 

The measure "is going to contribute to a better environmental sustainability and health of the workers and of the visitors of the Park, through the application of some principals of the theory of the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)". 

The new strategy of the trash management plan in Chitengo, according to Edgar Faduco, "beyond being healthy for the environment, also generates benefits for people". 

"Many people don’t know that we can generate many things from recyclable trash and reusable trash.” "For example, by reusing plastic bottles we are able to make armchairs and bean bag chairs, system of drop by drop watering, and their caps we can produce mats, etc", he explained. 

In another development, he appealed for everyone to always be guided by a positive ecological attitude in order to conserve Nature and guarantee the visual beauty of the environment, especially in the management of the trash that each of us produce.  Therefore, as we know, many industrial products are not biodegradable and many years are necessary for them to decompose:  aluminum tins - between 80 to 100 years; plastic bottles - 400 years; tires - 600 years and glass - 4,000 years. 




It should be mentioned that the cleaning in Chitengo, Nhambita, Site 1 and CEC is guaranteed by a team of seven workers that do the collection and separated depositing of around 200 kg of trash produced daily in the three localities.



Carlitos Sunza
Department of Communications/GNP