Illegal dumping is a highly visible and ongoing problem for Alberton residents. Some business representatives in the Alberton area feel forced to break bylaws as no formal landfill sites exist in close proximity to where large amounts of rubble can be dumped.
One business person, who asked to remain anonymous, stated:
“Everyone is dumping illegally, but we do not want to break the law.”
Read: Where are the dumping sites?
Willie Ferreira, a local tree feller, has experienced problems at the Heidelberg transfer station. He was reportedly told they could not accommodate the trees he needed to dump.
According to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson Themba Gadebe, the one waste transfer station on Heidelberg Road is used for the disposal of garden refuse and household refuse by residents and garden services. Currently, there is no other land available or marked for the development of a formal landfill site in Alberton.
The old landfill site in Verwoerd Park, has been closed and has not been in operations for many years.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality urges business in Alberton to refrain from dumping illegally and to make use of one of the following landfill sites for the disposal of refuse:
Rooikraal landfill site, corner of Barry Marais and Rondebult roads, Boksburg
Simmer and Jack landfill site, corner of Johann Rissiik and Main Reef roads, Germiston
Heidelberg transfer station for refuse and garden refuse; no builders’ rubble.
Should companies require services from council by means of 240lt refuse bins they can contact the department on 011 999 2600 to enquire about new services or to check on services paid for and services rendered.
Doug Watson, owner of Doug Watson Projects CC, spoke on the difficulties of dumping far outside the area,
“My profit margin is so small that if I have to go to Rooikraal every time I need to dump I might as well close my doors today,” he said.
Read more here:
Illegal dumping rages on in Alberton