By Mabvuto Kalawa, – Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent
Technology has improved lives in many ways, but it also poses serious threats to the environment.
This reality is unfolding in Nathenje Trading Centre, located 26 kilometers away from Lilongwe City.
Residents in the area have started disposing of used diapers, commonly known as pampers, in a nearby forest owned by the Ministry of Agriculture.
A walk along the path from Katemera to Dilawo Village reveals a disturbing scene, with numerous heaps of used pampers and synthetic hair meshes discarded carelessly in the bush.
Environmentalists have long been campaigning for proper disposal of pampers—either by burning them or placing them in pit latrines—but residents in the Maye area continue to ignore this advice.
The impact on the environment is serious, as pampers contain harmful chemicals that pose risks to both soil and air quality.
Adding to the concern is the sight of young boys scavenging through the waste in search of old bottles, exposing themselves to health hazards.
One concerned resident condemned the practice, calling it irresponsible and dangerous to both people and nature.
She urged community members to adopt safer disposal methods, emphasizing that burning the used diapers is a better option than dumping them indiscriminately.
Another local voice, Miss Jane Banda, who is vying for the position of councillor for Sanjiko Ward, expressed her disappointment with the ongoing situation.
She placed the blame on residents for failing to embrace proper waste disposal habits and warned that the practice is both an environmental and a health hazard.
Miss Banda noted that dogs often pick up the used pampers and bring them into people’s homes, spreading germs and causing discomfort.
She also raised alarm over the increasing number of flies in the area, which she said could lead to outbreaks of diseases.
Miss Banda called on health officials to conduct regular visits to the affected sites and take preventive action.
She also pointed out the failure of the local Community Based Organization (CBO), which is supposed to educate residents on proper waste disposal practices.
According to her, the CBO has not lived up to its mandate and is partly to blame for the worsening situation.
As part of the solution, Miss Banda announced plans to mobilize the community for a major cleanup campaign.
She also pledged to conduct civic education sessions to raise awareness about the dangers of improper waste disposal.
These activities, she said, would form a key part of her campaign strategy as she seeks to represent the people of Sanjiko Ward.
The environmental situation in Nathenje is a growing crisis that demands urgent attention and collective community action.
