Durbanites turn Kloof recycling depot into a dump
Ward 10 councillor, Tex Collins, has called on DSW to remove the unrecyclable rubbish that has accumulated at the site.
KLOOF’S councillor, Tex Collins, has called out the Durban community for its blatant disregard for the Kloof Recycling Centre’s rules, regulations and restrictions.
The frequently used site, based in Emolweni Road in Kloof, has, since the orange bag debacle, become filled with heaps of unrecyclable materials, garbage and has attracted rats and snakes.
“It has reached a stage right now that he (Ernest Gugushe) is unable to do it on his own and he has not got the facilities at the site to clean off the plastics that have been dropped off,” said Collins. “It’s an eyesore, the fencing needs to be replaced and this accumulated rubbish needs to be removed.”
According to Ernest Gugushe, the man who runs the site and makes a living from the sale of the recyclables, the cardboard skip is full, but has not been emptied in nearly two months.
Collins said he has called on Durban Solid Waste for more than three weeks to help clear up the backlog of rubbish that has accumulated at the site.
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“The whole depot must be cleaned with a front-end loader and the gates must be repaired. The skip for cardboard needs to be moved so the trucks have access to it,” he said.
“Many of the residents aren’t playing the game either. They’re just dropping off their rubbish at the centre,” said Collins. “Please don’t drop off goods that are not accepted. It must be recyclable material!”
Gugushe said he has worked at the site since April 2007 and has never seen it reach such a state as he timeously and meticulously sorts through the dropped off goods.
“DSW are just not doing their job. End of story. We once had DSW workers come here to help remove some of the rubbish, but they refused to use their hands and would only help if there was equipment. So I had to hire workers from my own pocket and we moved as much garbage as we could to the waste removal trucks,” said Gugushe.
All of the recycling bags on site are purchased by Gugushe.
“All goods that are donated need to be cleaned and separated into their different categories before being dropped off,” urged councillor Collins.
The Kloof Recycling Depot only accepts cardboard, glass, paper, tin and cans as well as clean PET plastics.
DSW did not respond to questions by the time of going to print.
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