Environmental management takes centre stage in Ekurhuleni
This week is National Clean-up and Recycling Week in South Africa.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) leg of National Clean-Up and Recycling Week saw the cleaning up of the Bredell Cemetery on September 11.
Grass cutting and litter picking were the order of the day as municipal workers and other stakeholders rolled up their sleeves to bring dignity back to the facility.
This week the city will focus on various environmental challenges in the city, including illegal dumping, litter picking, maintenance of cemeteries, and cleaning open spaces, water bodies and pavements.
This will be done over and above the daily routine work of waste collection, grass cutting and other environmental management-related services.
National Clean-Up and Recycling Week is an annual programme emphasising the importance of a cleaner environment through collaborative efforts from all spheres of government, schools, businesses, producer responsibility organisations (PROs) and communities.
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One aim is to encourage communities to take good care of their surrounding environment and to raise awareness of proper waste management practices, like picking up litter and disposing of waste at facilities intended for such.
“The week further serves to promote and encourage recycling activities through educating communities about recycling and its economic benefits.
“We encourage them to take part in the separation of waste at source initiatives, show support to dedicated local recycling co-operatives and SMEs, and educate those unaware of the environmental and financial benefits of recycling,” explained CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
The National Clean-Up Week 2023 will run from September 11 to 16, where stakeholders and affected parties are encouraged to commit to at least one day to hold an event that involves cleaning up selected areas of concern.
These may include illegal dumps and cleaning of dirty streets, cemeteries, taxi ranks, parks and streams.
“The city has a week-long programme that includes cleaning identified CBDs, cemeteries and a school,” said Dlamini.
“We did Bredell cemetery, and next on the list will be Meyer Street in Germiston, Phumlani Cemetery in Daveyton, and finally Silindokuhle Primary School in Etwatwa.”
The week runs concurrently with Arbor Month in South Africa. Arbor Month in September is a nationwide campaign that encourages tree planting, conservation, education, and creating awareness about planting trees and taking care of them, as well as promoting overall cleanliness for a healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment.
In ensuring the successful implementation and observation of both National Clean-Up Week and Arbor Month, they have invited these stakeholders to partner with the city:
• Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
• Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
• PETCO
• OXFAM
• Plastics SA
• Fibre Circle
• Local recycling organisation
• Local environmental organisations
• The Green Army.
The main event for both National Clean-Up and Recycling Week and Arbor Month is September 15 in Etwatwa.
