Due to concern about the high rate of illegal dumping of building rubble across the city and the damaging effects it has on the environment, Pikitup calls upon private waste collectors, developers and construction companies to make use of its landfill sites to dispose of clean building rubble. Spokesperson for Pikitup, Jacky Mashapu said that the service was free but the companies and private individuals would have to first register an account with Pikitup.
“Pikitup has deployed rubble crushing machines at five of its landfill sites. The landfill sites are: Linbro Park in Region E; Robinson Deep in Region F; Goudkoppies in Region D; Ennerdale in Region G and Marie Louise in Region C,” Mashapu said.
He pointed out that the facilities only accept the following materials:
N Uncontaminated building or construction rubble, free of organic matter (including paper, cardboard, wood, door frames, broken doors and rhino-board walling or roof ceilings), free of steel matter (including concrete reinforcement steel, window frames, door frames) at no cost to the user
N Any rubble that can be processed by the crushing machines – the boulder size must not exceed 300mm in diameter
N The rubble needs to consist of objects that are no bigger than a standard brick (about 70mmX220mmX100m in size). The soil must have a maximum particle size of 20mm. Big boulders and concrete chunks cannot, however, be processed by these machines and cannot be accepted in these machines
N Contaminated or mixed rubble is accepted at all operational landfills at a fee per ton in line with approved tariffs, which is charged at R95.10 (incl VAT).
Mashapu added that Pikitup’s disposal management division reused the builders’ rubble as cover material at landfill sites to mask odour from other waste as well as to construct temporary access roads to the disposal points at the landfill sites.
“There is no legitimate reason or excuse for the illegal dumping of building rubble as it constitutes a significant amount of all waste dumped illegally in Johannesburg. It is detrimental not just to the environment but also to the economy. There are other ways that rubble can be recycled. For instance, scrap wood or wire from bricks can be used to make dog kennels and ironing boards,” Mashapu further explained. He noted that keeping the city clean was a collective effort and they appreciated the support from building contractors in keeping the city clean. “Not only would we be kinder to the environment, but we would also be saving costs,” he said.
He urged residents to get involved by taking their recyclable waste to their nearest garden site, or a private recycling centre, as part of their contribution to a more sustainable city.
Details: Pikitup, 011 286 6009.
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