Metro starts to clean up mountains of rubbish
Workers, however, still have a long way to go before getting all the heaps of rubbish hidden in the plentiful green vegetation cleared.
Work has begun to clear the mountains of rubbish illegally dumped in the huge piece of land on Rondebult Road between Cresta Road and the R554.
On Monday (March 19) the metro deployed a team of its workers to start removing the eyesore.
The clean-up came a few days after the Advertiser published a story about the scale of illegal dumping on this piece of land.
The items dumped included household waste, rubble, tree branches and, worst of all, plastic offcuts of what appear to be sewage sludge.
The metro admitted that it was already aware of the problem, saying the relevant department previously erected “no dumping” signs but they were all removed.
According to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe, the metro envisages erecting guard rails on the length of the pavement to prevent vehicles from driving into the site.
The municipality says it is relying on the community to report illegal dumping.
A number of concerned residents, however, told the Advertiser that they are playing their part. They said they have for years been trying to get the municipality to stop the illegal activities in the area, but got no joy.
The metro, on the other hand, blames the existing laws for its failure to combat illegal dumping.
It indicated that it hasn’t been able to nail the dumpers because currently, in terms of the by-laws, waste management officials do not have statutory authority to issue notices of intention to prosecute and spot fines.
Currently, illegal dumping is dealt with through the EMPD, as per the by-laws.
The metro also doesn’t have regionally based teams dealing specifically in combating and preventing illegal dumping.
- By-laws
To address the problem, the solid waste by-laws are being revised to make provision for these necessary actions.
Generally, illegal dumping is a daunting problem across the city.
Driving around the city it’s not unusual to see piles of rubbish, including household waste and construction debris, along the roadsides. This has led to people accusing the municipality of lacking a firm intention or commitment to tackle the problem.
Responding to this allegation, Gadebe said:
“Illegal dumping is a societal problem that needs all sectors of society to work together, and this includes participation of families to teach their children not to litter. The metro is committed to continue to raise awareness on this issue through its various campaigns.”
When asked if the metro is losing its war on illegal dumping, Gadebe said:
“There is no losing the battle to achieve a cleaner city and we will continue to work harder to address illegal dumping through environmental awareness and education. Families and schools should also participate.”
He said the illegal dumping problem will be easier to address once the waste management by-laws are revised.
Revisions include the empowerment of waste management officials to issue notices of intended prosecution, spot fines and summonses.
Plans in place
• 240 litre bins are being rolled out to all residents throughout the metro to ensure safe storage of domestic waste while increasing the storage capacity.
• The metro has a weekly refuse collection schedule for all residents. Mini disposal sites/public offloading facilities are also available to a number of residents for the disposal of garden refuse. These are open seven days a week.
• There are also awareness programmes encouraging communities to keep the metro clean, to reuse, reduce and recycle waste.
Cost of illegal dumping
Between June 2016 and May 2017, the metro removed about 20 000 tons of illegally dumped waste. Per annum it cost taxpayers in Ekurhuleni millions of rand to clean up the waste, the municipality stated.
Legal landfill sites:
• Rooikraal disposal site, Barry Marais Road, Dawn Park.
• Weltevreden disposal site, Main Reef Road (Route M45) on the border between the Benoni and Brakpan.
• Simmer and Jack disposal site, corner Johan Rissik Road and Meade Crescent, Germiston.
• Platkop disposal site, about 15km south of Alberton on the Nigel/Lenasia (R550) offramp from the N3.
• Rietfontein disposal site, Springs. Take the Tonk Meter offramp from the N17. At the stop sign turn left. At the robot turn right. Follow the road for 1.5km. Entrance on your left.
• At the landfill sites up to 1 000kg (1 ton) is free of charge.
Legal garden refuse dump sites around Boksburg:
• Atlasville mini disposal site, Atlas Road, Atlasville.
• Dayan Glen mini disposal site, Dayan Street, Dayan Glen.
• Lilianton mini disposal site, Esson Road, Lilianton.
• Parkrand mini disposal site, Leipoldt Crescent, Parkrand.
• Van Dyk Park mini disposal site, corner Bergbos and Bloubos streets, Van Dyk Park.
• Reiger Park mini disposal site 1, Lily Street, Reiger Park.
• Reiger Park mini disposal site 2, John Collins Street, Reiger Park.
• Elspark mini disposal site, Heidelberg Road.
• Villa Liza mini disposal site, Lama Street, Villa Liza.
• Disposal is free at the mini disposal sites.
To find out more about where to dump your waste or to report illegal dumping, contact the Boksburg depot on 011 999 5423/5310/5070.
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/313960/concern-over-illegal-dump-site/
