Italian Embassy in Zambia raises K130,000 for Lusaka clean-up through ‘Waste No Waste’ auction

The Italian Embassy in Zambia has generated K130,000 through a ‘waste no waste trash is treasure’ auction to support a clean-up initiative in Lusaka’s underprivileged neighborhoods.

The auction featured 13 oil-painted drums, with the highest bid reaching K12, 000 and the lowest at K5,000.

Speaking in an interview with Zambia Monitor at the auction in Lusaka on Saturday, Lusaka Mayor, Chilando Chitangala expressed concern about the public’s attitude towards hygiene, noting that many people were not utilizing local authorities’ waste collection services.

“The council cleans the town everyday but it does not even look it has been cleaned by noon,” she said.

She urged the public to take responsibility for maintaining environmental cleanliness and to subscribe to garbage collection services.

The mayor also complained that street dust bins were being stolen, vandalized and taken for scrap metal by some unknown members of the public.

“I would like to ask the people of Lusaka to maintain the dust bins, we need to keep them safe,” she pointed out.

Additionally, Ambassador of Italy to Zambia, Enrico Agostini told Zambia Monitor that the campaign also aimed to encourage the public to take responsibility for keeping their environment clean.

“We have to start to separate our waste to have recycling,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Consul of Switzerland in Zambia, Marco Comana pointed out that local artists were not earning as much as they would outside the country.

“It is about time that we recognize the artists and help them realize the value that they contribute to the society,” he stated.

Furthermore, a visual artist, Nukwase Tembo, whose painted drum sold for K7,500, said bins needed to be beautified to enhance the city’s appearance.

“When we give beauty to the environment, it returns that beauty back to us,” she stated.

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