City Encourages Proper Use of Garden Refuse Sites

EThekwini Municipality’s Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) Unit has noticed an increase in the illegal dumping of waste outside of the designated sites and would like to caution residents that this is a serious offence.

Head of CSW Raymond Rampersad said the City cannot afford to incur unnecessary costs and will utilise all avenues to ensure compliance by residents. “Those who are found illegally dumping waste near garden sites or in any open spaces will be fined and be also responsible for the removal of that waste. Should the perpetrator fail to remove illegally dumped waste, it will be cleared by the Municipality, however the cost will be incurred by the perpetrator.”

The CSW Unit would like to inform residents about the proper use of garden refuse sites located around the Municipality. The Unit requests residents to note the following:

Operational hours are between 7am and 5pm
Only garden refuse and recycled waste is accepted at the garden site.
Rubble and domestic waste is NOT accepted at the garden site. Rubble can be disposed at a cost at a nearest landfill site.
Residents are permitted to dispose of one bakkie load (not exceeding 750 kg or 3/4 ton) of garden refuse waste not more than once a week. Residents are requested to self-load from their vehicles in to skips as directed by DSW staff.
Utilising of vagrants to assist with offloading or giving vagrants items that are intended to be thrown away is not allowed.
Blue bags are another convenient option of easily disposing of garden refuse. These bags are available in selected retail stores, hardware and service stations and are collected on the same day as black refuse bags.

The Unit would like to appeal to the public to assist in curbing the increase of illegal dumping sites, by reporting all offenders details, that is: vehicle registration numbers or photographs to the Municipality on 031 311 8804 or email dsw@durban.gov.za

Meanwhile, the CSW Unit is strengthening its weekly campaign of encouraging residents to take charge of spaces in which they live, work and play in amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The #NoLitterInMyArea clean-up campaign is a targeted initiative aimed at promoting a clean, healthy and safe environment for residents. The clean-ups are done every Friday where different wards are visited to remove illegal dumps and to raise awareness on correct waste management.
This drive complements government’s call for citizens to remain on high alert. Rampersad encouraged communities to take back their spaces and partner with the Municipality in this concerted fight against Covid-19. “It is important for all residents of the Municipality to partake in such activities as every little contribution is important. With these clean-ups we are assisting our public health system in further reducing the transmission of the virus and preparing for a possible resurgence.”

Credits – durban.gov.za  03 JAN2021