eMBALENHLE – Locals said illegal dumping is perpetuated by non-collection of waste by the Govan Mbeki Municipality in some parts of eMbalenhle.
Residents said they are no longer sure of the schedule and asked the municipality publish the schedule.
They said since the 2017 protest where the municipal fleet was torched, the municipality has been inconsistent about the rubbish collection.
The residents said dueto the non-collection of refuse they end up dumping the garbage anywhere.
Almost every section in the area have more than two illegal dumping sites.
Sasol and GMM launched an environmental education and awareness campaign in 2018 which involved communities, to address the current increase in illegal dumping sites that emanated from uncontrolled waste disposal.
They wanted to unlock self-sustainable businesses and employment opportunities in the communities through reducing, re-using and recycling programmes rolled out in partnership with the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s Buy-Back Centre.
To assist with waste collection in the identified Wards, Sasol has provided the Enviro-cycles used for its newly launched environmental education and awareness programme.
However, the problem of illegal dumping in the area seems to be persist.
The GMM has since issued a press statement regarding the matter and condemned littering and illegal dumping.
The council stated that by littering or illegal dumping, people are failing to take ownership and responsibility for the waste they generate and conveniently shift the responsibility to the municipality.
“The main function of the municipality is to render an integrated waste management service, whereby we encourage waste minimisation at the source, collect containerised waste, transport and dispose of waste at licensed landfill sites.
“By rendering unnecessary additional services such as picking up litter and cleaning illegal dumps, the operational cost of refuse removal escalates.”
The municipality said in an attempt to combat littering and illegal dumping, they have placed numerous campaigns in place.
All businesses and residential stands will get a weekly refuse removal service.
Litter picking will be done daily in the central business areas, access roads and, public open spaces.
Regular clean-up campaigns are held to remove illegal dumped waste from street corners and public open spaces.
“Unfortunately, these attempts seem ineffective, as the community does not pay attention to our requests and efforts to keep the town clean.
Litter bins and notice boards are vandalised, burned or stolen and waste is still illegally dumped.
“The state of our environment is therefore greatly dependent on the attitude and behaviour of the community, which will only change once everyone realises their responsibility towards it.”
The municipality urged the community to report illegal dumpers. The law enforcement unit can be contacted at 017 620 6335, or complaints can be reported at 080 060 0001/2/4.
