Process to formalise reclaimers afoot

The City confirmed that it removed a sizeable amount of refuse from the Heidelberg Road Transfer Station.

According to their spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, this was made possible by a multidisciplinary team from various waste management depots.

A blitz and clean-up campaign led by the EMPD and the Alberton depot was conducted on November 22 last year.

Dlamini said the blitz started with an awareness and educational campaign for the reclaimers (those who collect waste onsite).

“The reclaimers formed part of the clean-up team and cleared the scattered waste in and around the site. The City is continuously engaging with the reclaimers onsite regarding avoiding unpleasant conditions outside the transfer station and measures in terms of cleaning the area. The operations were temporarily hampered during the festive season because of a fire that broke out,” he said.

The Department of Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS )has requested that the site be temporarily closed to the public until further advised by DEMS. The aim is to avoid any risks that the public might be exposed to.

The City said it is also formalising the reclaimers so that they can conduct reclamation in a coordinated manner.

“Currently, the waste management team continues to remove waste inside and outside the transfer station because the public continues to illegally dump waste, especially outside the transfer station. The City is arranging a multidisciplinary joint operation programme intended to weed out criminal elements on the site, improve by-law enforcement and instil discipline at the site,” explained Dlamini.