THE eThekwini Municipality Durban Solid Waste Recycling Centre in Hillcrest has been overwhelmed by a sudden increase in the dumping of non-recyclable waste.
Florescent tubes, old wiring, paint tins, bags of hardened cement and medical waste (theatre gowns and ventilation tubes) were just some of the non-recyclable objects dumped at the centre.
According to Marge Mitchell, the chairman of Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association, the dumping began approximately two months ago. “We have always had the odd dumping, but this has become frequent and uncontrollable,” said Mitchell.
She also reported that approximately five tons of non-recyclable waste has been dumped at the centre over the last two months. The Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association (KHBA) had to fork up the money to have the waste removed on several occasions.
“We are a non-profit organisation (NPO), and therefore we do not receive any funding. All of our funds are raised through the hard work of the committee. This issue obviously effects our other projects,” said Mitchell.
A staff member at the centre wrote down the registration number and noted the vehicle model of one of the perpetrators who had dumped non-recyclable waste at the centre. The details have been submitted to the relevant authorities. “We hope to prosecute the individual soon. This abuse will not be tolerated,” said Mitchell.
