Guest blog post by Cedrick Chilabade, Anti-Plastic Advocate, ZTU
In a bid to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable living, Zomba Theological University (ZTU) has launched an innovative initiative to replace plastic bags with reusable cloth bags on campus. This pioneering effort aims to eradicate the use of single-use plastic bags, which have become a major environmental concern globally, and instead adopt an eco-friendly alternative that benefits both the university community and the environment.
Speaking to the Ecotheology Coordinator, Rev. Prof. Kenneth R. Ross, he explained that “ZTU has responded to a call to action from the Association of Protestant Missions and Churches in Germany (EMW) to protect their environment, and they believe that this initiative is a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable future.”
According to Rev. Prof. Ross, the anti-plastic initiative is just one strand of the EMW-funded Ecotheology Project, which aims to promote ecological awareness and responsibility among students, faculty, and the wider community. “They want us to become a model of environmental stewardship, using clean energy, eliminating wasteful practices, and promoting ecological research,” he emphasized.
Rev. Prof. Ross noted that ZTU is not alone in this fight. “Around the world, many people, especially the youth, are realizing that they need to make changes to their way of life if they are to meet the climate crisis of their time.” He expressed hope that ZTU’s initiative would inspire other institutions to follow suit.
Through this project, ZTU is not only purifying its campus but also inspiring a global movement towards sustainability. As Rev. Prof. Ross concluded, “With God’s blessing, we can make a difference.”
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