The City of Joburg’s waste management entity ‘Pikitup’, last Friday visited the Protea Glen Mall with an aim to change the mindsets of residents and businesses and get them to start recycling and separating at source.
Pikitup has thrown its full weight in support of the ‘War Against Waste’ in an effort to fight against illegal dumping and littering.
Pikitup spokesperson Desiree Ntshingila said often the organisation has tried different methods, adopting radical approaches to get the message across.
“These were met with resistance and distaste because the seriousness of what was being communicated was not properly conveyed or there was a total disregard for the law.
“When all else fails, the only choice left is to up the ante and make every citizen of Joburg get their hands dirty,” she said.
Executive director Waste Minimisation Strategy and Programmes at Pikitup Musa Jack said, as part of the mayoral project, they have heeded the call by the mayor and the MMC to make sure that separation at source becomes a voiced dialogue in media houses, households, businesses, schools, taxi/bus ranks and on the street.
“Mayor Parks Tau has declared war on the owners of illegal dumping sites after a recent tour of the city.
“Tau with his 10-member mayoral committee went to see for themselves the true extent of development challenges the city faced and health concerns that arise with illegal dumping.
“Pikitup staff embarked on friendly ‘protest’ marches to alert residents of the City of Joburg on the dangers of littering and illegal dumping as well as of the benefits of recycling.
“The teams are visiting all seven regions on a seven-week ‘protest’ blitz, spending five days per region.
“They will be engaging with the communities, residents and businesses in creating a better, healthier and more sustainable City that is free of litter and illegal dumping, where children can play in clean parks,” he said.
Jack said this is truly a testament to our commitment as a company. We are turning the City of Joburg into a recycling economy.
“These demonstrations are aimed at radically increasing awareness of illegal dumping and recycling.
“We are taking the war into the heart of the communities and into their own back yard,” he said.
