55 750 bags of illegally dumped refuse collected in one month

GEORGE NEWS - In the culminating week of Illegal Dumping Awareness Month, George Municipality's Community Services cleaning teams collected 13 100 bags of illegally dumped rubbish, propelling the grand total to a staggering 55 750 bags for the month of February alone.

Areas cleared this week include Rosemoor and Blanco. Five tyre and beautification projects were also finalised in Rosedale, Parkdene, Rosemoor and Thembalethu.

Municipal Law Enforcement officials have continued patrolling hot spots and issued another R4 000 in fines and three warnings.

The fine for being caught illegal dumping is R1 000.

The Hazardous Waste Open Day held on Friday 23 February was a resounding success with microwaves, vacuum cleaners, TV’s, irons, computers, printers, ink cartridges, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, medical waste etc. handed in.

Please keep an eye on our social media channels for our next Hazardous Waste Open Day due to be held in May this year.

Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz extended her thanks and congratulations to the teams who have worked so hard this month to clear the illegal dump hot spots.

“We really need cooperation from everyone to keep their communities clean and hope that the tyre beautification projects which encourage the growing of plants will stop people from repeatedly dumping at the same places.

"There are over 97 illegal dumping hot spots that have been identified by the Directorate Community Services and it is impossible to monitor all of them. We ask the public to assist by not only reporting illegal dumping but also to put their waste into refuse bags and keep them at their house until their refuse collection day.”

Report Illegal Dumping
Help the municipality to curb illegal dumping by spreading the news in your community that the dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard.

Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on waste removal days.

Builders’ rubble and waste not suitable for bags must be dropped at the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road).

If you can provide names, vehicle registration details or addresses of alleged perpetrators who have dumped illegally and you are willing to make a statement in this regard, please report it to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za.

You don’t need a photograph of the perpetrator, but it will strengthen the case for a warning or fine to be issued.

Assisting EPWP workers, Cindy Potts, Sue-ne Jacobs and Theresa Snyman was Portfolio Councillor for Community Services: Parks, Refuse and Environment, Theresa Jeyi.