Why Plant Trees, Flowers and Grass?

• Trees provide shade and help control the weather
• Flowers smell nice and attract butterflies, bees, and birds
• Grass covers the soil and prevents it from being washed away
• All plants help to clean the air we breathe
• Plants make the environment look beautiful and pleasant
• Trees near rivers prevent soil from eroding into the water

Steps for Planting Trees, Flowers and Grass

Step 1: Choose the right plants Select trees, flowers and grass that can grow well in your area. Some plants need more water, while others need less. Fruit trees are a good choice because they also provide food.

Step 2: Prepare the area Clean the area by removing weeds and stones. If the soil is not fertile, mix it with compost or animal manure to make it better for planting.

Step 3: Dig holes for seedlings Dig holes that are deep enough for the plant roots. The holes should be spaced apart so the plants have room to grow.

Step 4: Plant the seedlings Place the healthy seedlings into the holes carefully. Cover the roots with soil and press the soil gently around the plant.

Step 5: Care for the plants

• Water the plants regularly, especially when the soil is dry
• Remove weeds that grow around the plants
• Use natural methods to control pests, such as planting marigold flowers which repel insects

Types of Waste

Decomposable waste (rotting waste): These are wastes that rot naturally over time. Examples include:

• Food remains and leftovers
• Fruit peels and vegetable scraps
• Grass cuttings and fallen leaves
• Paper and cardboard

Non-decomposable waste (non-rotting waste): These are wastes that do not rot easily and stay in the environment for a long time. Examples include:

• Plastic bags and plastic bottles
• Plastic buckets and containers
• Metal cans and glass bottles

How to Tackle Waste

Step 1: Sort the waste Separate waste into two groups:

• Decomposable waste → put in bins for composting
• Non-decomposable waste → put in separate bins for recycling or safe disposal

Step 2: Use coloured bins with labels Place different coloured bins around the school and home:

• Green bin → for decomposable waste
• Blue or black bin → for non-decomposable waste
• Write labels on each bin to show what goes inside

Step 3: Dispose of waste properly

• Never throw waste into rivers, streams or drains
• Never burn plastic waste as it creates harmful smoke
• Take plastic waste to recycling centres
• Compost decomposable waste to make manure for plants

Step 4: Reduce waste

• Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags
• Avoid buying products with too much packaging
• Reuse containers and bottles when possible

1. Clean your classroom — sweep the floor, dust desks, clean windows, and mop regularly
2. Plant and care for trees and flowers around your school and home
3. Use bins properly — never litter
4. Report broken pipes and leaking taps to save water
5. Avoid polluting water sources — do not wash clothes or bathe in rivers

At Kisongo Primary School, the students wanted to protect their school environment. They followed these steps:

1. They planted mango and orange trees behind the classroom block
2. They planted flowers (marigolds and roses) around the school gate
3. They planted grass on the open playground to prevent soil erosion
4. They placed three coloured bins: green for food waste, blue for plastics, and red for papers
5. They composted the green bin waste to make manure for their school garden

After three months, the school became more beautiful. The trees provided shade, the flowers attracted butterflies, and the school was free from litter. This shows how planting and proper waste disposal help protect the environment.

In everyday life in Tanzania, you can protect the environment by planting trees in your backyard and using compost bins for kitchen waste. For example, if your family in Morogoro has a small garden, you can plant pawpaw trees and use leftover food scraps to make compost manure instead of throwing them away. This saves money on buying fertiliser (about TSh 10,000-15,000 per bag) and keeps your neighborhood clean. Proper waste sorting also helps your community recycling centre in Mbeya or Dar es Salaam to work better and create cleaner streets for everyone.