Toxic plastic waste that once choked the surroundings of Mitundu Community Hospital was cleared by students in a bold effort to protect public health and the environment.
The clean-up, led by learners from Chiseka Community Day Secondary School in Lilongwe, turned a littered hospital compound into a safer, healthier space portraying the link between plastic pollution, disease risk, and environmental degradation.
Organised by the Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), the activity formed part of a broader campaign to combat plastic pollution by engaging communities especially youth in practical, hands-on environmental action.
The initiative also ties in with the theme of this year鈥檚 World Environment Day: 鈥淟ive in Harmony with Nature 鈥 Stop Plastic Pollution.鈥
鈥淭his generation is growing up amid serious environmental challenges,鈥 said Charles Mkoka, Executive Director of CURE.
鈥淚f students begin to understand the dangers of thin plastics now, they will grow into responsible stewards of the environment. The government鈥檚 ban on plastics below 60 microns must be respected and the youth are crucial in that campaign,鈥 added Mkoka.
At Mitundu Community Hospital, students collected heaps of discarded plastic waste, which was later transported to the incinerator for safe disposal. Mkoka noted that such plastics not only pollute the land but also pose risks to livestock and human health.
He said: 鈥淵ou could see the place was littered when we arrived. This shows how far the problem has spread. But it also shows how powerful education can be. We鈥檙e not just cleaning we鈥檙e planting knowledge that will grow into sustainable behaviour.鈥
He added that innovative solutions were key to addressing the crisis.
鈥淭here is wealth in waste. Some local players are already repurposing plastics into bricks, toilet slabs, and other useful products. This is an opportunity for youth and entrepreneurs alike,鈥 said Mkoka.
Supporting the effort, the Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) emphasised that waste removal is just as critical as halting new plastic production.
MEPA Director General Wilfred Kadewa said: 鈥淪ome plastics are already in our environment. To protect nature, we must stop producing new thin plastics and also remove what has been irresponsibly discarded. This clean-up is a step in that direction.鈥
Kadewa acknowledged progress in reducing the presence of blue thin plastics but warned that other illegal variants, such as white and transparent plastics, are still found on the market.
鈥淎ll plastics below 60 microns are banned, regardless of colour. Just last week, five bags of smuggled thin plastics were confiscated at the border. But enforcement alone is not enough. Every Malawian must play a part. If we stop using thin plastics, we鈥檒l eventually eliminate them altogether,鈥 said Kadewa.
He further said the private sector is beginning to respond, with some companies and youth-led initiatives producing biodegradable alternatives.
鈥淭hree firms have already submitted non-woven carrier bag samples made from polylactic acid for testing. These are plant-based and safe for the environment. But we need more people in this space. The demand is there,鈥 said Kadewa.
Commenting on the same, Magdalena Jere, a teacher and environmental club matron at Chiseka Community Day Secondary School, said the initiative empowers students to become change agents.
鈥淭hese learners are our future leaders. By involving them now, we鈥檙e shaping a generation that respects the environment. They鈥檒l share these lessons at home and in their communities. That鈥檚 how we build long-term change,鈥 said Jere.
MEPA has stepped up enforcement in recent months, sealing off illegal producers like Quality Plastics Limited and issuing heavy fines signalling strong government commitment to eliminating thin plastics and protecting Malawi鈥檚 environment and public health.