GEORGE NEWS - Jacques Olivier, a concerned resident, has initiated a petition demanding that the municipality deal with "the recycling fiasco" in town.

"I was upset to read in the George Herald that Borchards, council's recycling contractor had, instead of recycling, been storing the recycling material he collected in a warehouse across the road from his premises. The collection of the blue bags is not the issue, the recycling is. I can't establish if recycling is taking place or not."

Helga Krietsch, who has been bringing the recycling problem to the attention of the authorities for months, realised that she had to do more than just complain. "I am assisting Olivier to draw up the petition." On Monday morning she drove past the recycling premises in the industrial area near Coca-Cola and was shaken when she saw the state of the driveway. "I am sure it is a fire hazard and a lot more."

"The municipality and Borchards Recycling have denied the citizens of George their civil responsibility of minimising their carbon footprint on the planet," said Olivier.

"The municipality continually refers to the fact that Borchards Recycling is on terms. What are the terms? We are taxpayers and would like to know. It is public money. Last year I was elated when George won the award for the most environmentally friendly local authority in the country. With this petition we hope to assist council to retain the title," said Krietsch.

Hildary Borcherds, the owner of Borchards Recycling, has again apologised for the problems that has beset his company. "I am aware of the petition, but want to assure the architects of the petition that I have now really

sorted out my problems. The transport question has been solved and I have got stocks of blue bags. In fact we are so on top of things that at the end of every day we do a sweep of the areas to check if any bags have been left behind."

Kreitsch replied, "I've heard it all before, but the question remains: is he recycling?"

At the time of going to press the only response received from council and the municipality was, and we quote verbatim: "The legal process is now in operation to ensure that the matter pertaining to the blue bags contract is being addressed."

Olivier asked concerned citizens to contact him at jacqueseolivier@gmail.com for updates.


Helga Krietsch and Jacques Olivier, the driving force behind the petition. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz

ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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