PLANS for a recycling centre in Mzingazi have gained momentum as tenders have now been invited for the project.
The recycling site will provide an area for community members to work, who already recycle by picking through heaps of waste for usable materials.
According to City of uMhlathuze Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane, the city aims to make recycling in the area cleaner, safer and more coordinated.
‘We are assisting the community members to have an area to work,’ said Ncalane. ‘There will be ablution facilities, a guard house and a concrete working area.’
The work area will facilitate the sorting and bailing of waste and those allowed to make use of the area will be able to sell the material at their own discretion.
Plans for a similar site in eSikhaleni have been put on hold owing to a dispute over land, while an appropriate piece of land is still being identified for another recycling site in Ngwelezane.
Plans for sites in Mzingazi and eNseleni should be completed before the end of the financial year.
The estimated cost of these sites has been budgeted at R1.2-million, subject to change through the tender processes currently ongoing.
‘A report detailing the activities will be communicated through Council,’ said Ncalane.
‘Basically this is a community project and no machines will be used, but sorting and selling, similar to the programme at Alton Recycling Centre, just on a smaller scale.’
The members of the community allowed to use the facility will be chosen at a later stage.
