The decision to withdraw the proposal, which would have been effected from July 1 if it had been agreed upon during Integrated Development Plan meetings, was taken as a result of a variety of stakeholders, including the residents of the City objecting to the proposed recycling levy.
Several submissions from residents have been received against the proposed levy because of the financial difficulties that resulted from Covid-19.
The withdrawn recycling levy was also informed by the need to increase the yield of recyclable materials that need to be diverted away from landfill sites.
Pikitup is fast running out of landfill sites, and the levy might have contributed to preserving the remaining lifespan of the landfill airspace through recycling.
Large quantities of recyclable materials still end up in Pikitup’s landfill sites despite the contribution of waste pickers assisting with the collection of recyclable materials.
However, because of their mode of transport, waste pickers resort to collecting light recyclable materials and leave behind heavy or recyclables of less value, which are collected by Pikitup.
“We will continue to work with members of our communities to find the best way to address the issues around recycling and separation of waste with the ultimate aim of preserving the lifespan of our City’s landfills.
“We are also receiving proposals from corporates around the matter and look forward to exploring these relationships as well,” added Moreane.
