GEORGE NEWS - The Gwaiing landfill site has seen a number of improvements following ongoing issues with access control on-site and homeless people gaining access to the site and staying over, a situation that posed danger not only to themselves but also to the public wanting to use the landfill site.
George Municipality introduced corrective measures to address these problems by employing ten Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers to assist around the site and to address safety concerns.
To improve access control, the point of access was changed so that every vehicle entering the landfill site must pass through a weighbridge before it can get to the landfill site. Every vehicle entering the facility is weighed when it enters, and when it exits.
This system complies with the Provincial Department of Environmental and Development Planning's requirements and enables the municipality to capture correct waste management data. Municipal official, Elvis Nondala is responsible for capturing the weight of the vehicles as they come through the weighbridge.
Mayor Leon van Wyk said visiting the facility enabled him to see what the conditions are for all who use this facility. "Under the new management, we are starting to see even more improvements and we are excited to see what lies ahead," he said.
He emphasised that the Gwaiing landfill site must be rehabilitated and that a portion of the site will be closed to allow for this. The public will be required to dispose of builder's rubble at an alternative location on the same premises.
Sivuyile Mtila, senior manager for Environmental Services, emphasised that the public must only dispose of permissible waste items such as bulky waste (awkwardly sized and heavy objects); garden refuse (grass clippings, dead branches, bushes, weeds, plants, stones and other small materials); builder's rubble (concrete chunks, broken clay or cement bricks, sand, stone, soil, cement, plaster) and any rubbish not containing hazardous waste.
Workers at the landfill site are, from left, Christiaan Terblanche (EPWP), Andrew Pattersen (EPWP), Pieter Jumat (permanent worker), Patrick Smit (permanent worker), Ronny Vice (EPWP), David Jantjies (EPWP), Wessel Robertson (Manager: Cleansing - in blue jacket and black mask at the back), Mayor Leon van Wyk (grey jacket), Dr Michele Gratz (Acting Municipal Manager), Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke, Charles Lubbe (Project Manager: Cleansing) and Sivuyile Mtila (Senior Manager: Environmental Services.
Hazardous waste Open Day
Responding to the disposal of household hazardous waste, the George Municipality will be hosting its first Open Day for the collection of hazardous waste on 10 September, in the Augusta Street parking lot opposite Outeniqua Stadium.
It will be open from 08:00 to 15:00 and the public must please note that all Covid-19 protocols will be observed.
If you have the following household hazardous waste, deliver it in a suitable container:
• Motor oil, oil filters, brake fluid
• Used antifreeze liquid
• Paint, paint thinner, turpentine
• Pesticides or herbicides
• Household batteries
• CRTs, old TVs, miscellaneous electronics
• Tyres
• Fluorescent tubes and globes
• Household medical waste (needles and old medicine and tablets)
The following items are NOT accepted:
• Explosives
• Ammunition
• Radioactive materials
• Controlled substances
Additional information
• Bring the items you wish to dispose of in a strong box, preferably their original, labelled containers.
• NEVER mix products together.
• Be prepared to leave your containers, due to permitting requirements, and the volume of people that may utilise the programme.
This is your opportunity to get rid of these items at NO COST and at a convenient, nearby location.
For any enquiries, kindly contact Grace Notshokovu on 044 802 2917.
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