AS community members question the dispersal of waste into the ocean at Cuttings Beach, Wasteman, another company under the spotlight has its say.
Averda SA managing director, Johan van den Berg, said: “Averda, which recently acquired Wasteman, does not dump any toxic waste in the ocean, nor does it dump in it any other type of waste.
Averda treats its liquid waste on site to meet and comply with acceptable disposal standards set by government. The treated leachate is sent to the municipal water treatment facility for disposal. Random tests are conducted on select samples on a continual basis to ensure compliance by all users. These samples are sent for analysis to an external government body (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) to ensure compliance.
We respect and take all measures to protect the oceans, seas, rivers and natural habitats we perform our activities in. We work closely with the government – national and municipal – and other stakeholders, including lobby groups, and constantly consult with them as we consider them a very important partner of dialogue.
Averda is one of the main founders of ‘Project MainStream’, a global initiative launched in 2014 whose ‘The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics’ report was presented during the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos. We are a responsible global waste management organisation – we respect life, in whichever form it may come: fish, wildlife, plants, soil and water. We are doing everything in our power to leave our children a legacy of environmental responsibility, sustainability and care.
Having said this, we are aware of the allegations recently made against Wasteman, now Averda, by Mr D’Sa and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) regarding the dumping of waste from the Bulbul site into the ocean.
How the leachate is disposed of at sea
The allegations are completely unfounded. The liquid waste (leachate) generated by the permanent disposal activities carried out in Bulbul landfill is sent for further treatment and permanent disposal to eThekwini Water Services (EWS), the competent authority which regulates the liquid waste disposal (outfall) into the sea. EWS are responsible for monitoring the quality and environmental parameters of the landfill’s leachate, ensuring we comply fully with our environmental permit’s obligations and specifications.
SDCEA, the NGO led by Mr D’Sa, is also a member of Wasteman’s monitoring committee and conducts regular meetings with Authorities Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) comprised of representatives of the health department, Department of Water Affairs (both provincial and national), Department of Environmental Affairs (both provincial and national), Municipal Water Department and Sanitation Department.
As such, SDCEA’s and Mr D’Sa’s technical, environmental and good governance opinions and expert advice are constantly sought during our official meetings – a positive and constructive dialogue with the communities we serve and operate in are of paramount significance to Wasteman.”
Read also:
How the leachate is disposed of at sea
Bluff Boardriders express outrage over sea dumping
EnviroServ hits back at ‘toxic waste’ dumping claims
Averda clarifies ‘unfounded statements’ about leachate
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