Recycling centre open to the public

THE public is encouraged to drop off light plastic, paper and cardboard at the recently opened Recycling Centre at Congella Park.

Ian Campbell-Gillies of the Umbilo Business Forum (UBF), who has been one of the parties involved in getting this centre off the ground, said the donated huts which serve as an office and plumbed-in toilet, are in place and business is up and running at the centre which is co-managed by Lindiwe Cele and Steve Thusi.

“The 12 men working on site, who underwent training last year withe Paper Recycling Association of SA have opened their own Standard Bank accounts and cards to handle payments and are also able to supplement their income through the sale of vegetables grown at the park. The men are well schooled in the value of waste. Equipment on site was donated by Premier Waste in Phoenix who will give ongoing training to the men. This has seriously lifted the morale of the staff and the project has pulled the community together, as a story of shared success,” he said.

Collection starts on site at 4am and light plastic, cardboard and white and print paper is collected from all around Umbilo and Glenwood and is weighed on site.

“Only dry cardboard is accepted as well as plastic and paper which is recycled on site. The men separate the plastic and paper for maximum value,” he said.

Ian said the UBF was working on bringing down the crime in the area, and this was one of the success stories which can replicated in other areas.

READ RELATED: Park transformation sets tone for future projects

“There were three main crime centres in the area, now there are only two as this space, Congella Park, has been recovered. The men have been placed back in the economy, which was our main aim with this project,” he said.

Jennifer Rampersad from the Parks Department, who has been involved in the project at Congella Park from the get-go, said she was excited about the progress.

“Sikho Msomi from UBF and myself are on the task team of homelessness initiated by the deputy mayor. The research I have done on this project will be given to the Mayor. I explained what I had dreamt of at the start of this project can now see it is a reality and that it is working. The main thing is that we have given hope to the men and the guidelines on homelessness have been addressed,” she said.

For drop off times and collection arrangements, the community can contact Lindiwe on 072 342 7403 or email: manazaproject@gmail.com. The centre is open for contributions from the public between 8.30am and 11am.

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