Natasha Marufu
Geography
STAGE 1: Problem Identification
Project Title:
“Trash Talk: A Cleaner Future for Regina Mundi Society”
Problem Statement:
Project Title:
“Separate to Save: Improving Waste Segregation in Bulawayo Adventist High school
ociety”
Problem Statement:
Within Bulawayo Adventist High School ,waste from school grounds,
classrooms, and staff areas is usually disposed of without any form of
segregation. Food waste, plastic bottles, cans, paper, and even used
sanitary wear are all thrown into the same bins or open dumps. This has
led to several issues such as:
Foul smells and dirty surroundings.
Difficulty in recycling and composting.
Unsafe disposal of sanitary products.
Attraction of flies, dogs, and stray cats.
Increased risk of disease and pollution.
Statement of intent
Every day at Bulawayo Adventist High school, students throw away
leftovers, plastic bottles, papers, and even used sanitary wear — all in the
same bins. What if that waste could be sorted, recycled, or safely handled
instead of rotting in piles ? This project intends to turn everyday trash into
a learning opportunity. By introducing a simple waste segregation system
using color-coded bins and student-led awareness campaigns, we can
make our school cleaner, safer, and more environmentally responsible.
Let’s separate our waste — and together, separate ourselves from
pollution .
Design specifications
To successfully introduce a waste segregation system in Bulawayo High School Society, the
solution must meet the following key design requirements:
1. Simple and Understandable
Color-coded system must be easy to recognize (e.g. green for food, blue for
recyclables, red for sanitary waste).
Clear signs and labels in local languages and English.
2. Cost-Effective
Use affordable or recycled materials to create bins and labels.
Posters and signs made using manila, cardboard, or printed A4 paper.
3. Durable and Weather-Resistant
Bins must be sturdy enough to last outdoors or in common areas.
Signs should be laminated or weather-protected.
4. Student-Friendly
Designed for regular use by students of all age groups.
Easy to access and positioned in high-traffic areas (e.g. near dining hall, hostel doors,
classrooms).
5. Educational
Each bin should display short messages or pictures explaining what goes inside.
Posters or info boards will provide basic facts on pollution, recycling, and hygiene.
6. Safe and Hygienic
Special disposal method for sanitary waste (e.g. sealed container and small
incinerator).
Gloves and basic tools available for the student waste team.
7. Sustainable
Solution should be easy to maintain with help from a student-led team or club.
STAGE 2: Investigation of Existing Ideas
Idea 1: Use Open Burn Pits
✅ Cheap and available.
❌ Causes smoke, pollution, and unsafe for the environment.
Idea 2: Outsourcing Waste Collection to Local Council
✅ Professional disposal.
❌ Costly and not always reliable.
🔸 Idea 3: Introduce Color-Coded Bin System with Mini
Incinerator
✅ Separates waste efficiently, encourages recycling.
✅ Mini incinerator safely handles sanitary waste.
❌ Requires initial construction and awareness.
STAGE 3: Generation of Ideas
1. Build a simple brick incinerator with a chimney for sanitary
waste.
2. Install color-coded waste bins for food (green), recyclables (blue),
and general waste (black).
3. Create awareness posters on waste sorting and hygiene.
4. Organize a waste management club led by students.
STAGE 4: Refinement of the Best Idea
Selected Solution:
Color-Coded Waste System + Brick Incinerator + Awareness
Campaign
Key Features:
1. Color-Coded Bins:
o Green Bin – Biodegradable waste (food, peels).
o Blue Bin – Recyclables (bottles, cans, paper).
o Red Bin – Sanitary and hazardous waste.
2. Clear Labels and Pictograms:
o Each bin will include printed visuals (e.g. pictures of what belongs in each
bin) for all literacy levels.
3. Awareness Campaign:
o Posters around school areas explaining why segregation matters.
o Weekly 5-minute awareness talks during assemblies.
o Participation by the Environmental or Health Club.
4. Mini Incinerator for Sanitary Waste:
o A simple enclosed brick structure with a metal grate and chimney.
o Used to burn sanitary pads and tissues hygienically and safely.
Why This Works:
Separates waste for better disposal and easier recycling.
Safe incineration of sanitary products prevents infection and odor.
Students become actively involved and informed.
STAGE 5: Final Solution Presentation
Components:
Brick incinerator with a chimney for safe burning of sanitary wear.
Color-coded bins made from recycled containers painted
accordingly.
Posters and stickers showing what goes in each bin.
Awareness talks during assemblies and a short video on hygiene
and waste.
🎨 Presentation Tools:
Mini model of the incinerator (made from cardboard or clay).
Example of bin labels/posters.
Before-and-after waste site photos (real or drawn).
Draft of a student rota for waste monitoring.
STAGE 6: Evaluation and Recommendations
Evaluation:
The solution is practical and affordable for school implementation. It
reduces pollution, improves hygiene, and promotes student responsibility.
Incineration of sanitary waste especially addresses health and dignity
concerns for female students.
Recommendations:
The waste segregation system introduced in Bulawayo Adventist High school society has
proven to be both effective and practical. Students are beginning to understand the
importance of separating waste, and the school environment has shown early signs of
improvement in cleanliness and hygiene. The color-coded bins are easy to use and placed in
strategic locations like the dining hall, hostels, and classroom entrances.
The mini sanitary incinerator provides a much-needed solution for the safe disposal of used
sanitary products, reducing health risks and improving privacy for female students. The
awareness campaign using posters and peer education has increased student involvement and
responsibility toward waste management.
Successes:
High levels of student engagement
Noticeable reduction in littering
Proper disposal of sanitary materials
Effective visual communication through posters
Challenges Faced:
Some students initially ignored the bin labels
Occasional mixing of waste types due to carelessness
The incinerator requires regular supervision and maintenance
Recommendations:
1. Train More Student Leaders
To help monitor the bins and correct wrong disposal behavior.
2. Improve Bin Design
Use covered bins to prevent odors and animals from disturbing waste.
3. Monthly Clean-up Competitions
Motivate students to keep their zones clean and sorted.
4. School-Wide Waste Education
Include waste segregation topics in science or life skills classes.
5. Expand the Project
Add bins near staff rooms and sports areas, and build more incinerators.
