The George Municipality appointed Interwaste Environmental Solutions on a temporary month-to-month contract on Tuesday. The Borchards Recycling contract was terminated by the municipality on 12 April with a one month notice period.
Kirsty Hofhuis, the depot manager of Interwaste George, confirmed that they have been collecting the blue household recycling bags since Tuesday. "We have taken over the existing Borchards contract as it stands on a month-to-month basis."
On Tuesday morning three new specially adapted pick-up trucks started collecting the recycling material in the suburbs, working on the same schedule as council's refuse service.
Ian Temple, the general manager of Interwaste, said the company has been in existence for 25 years. "Recycling is our game and we recycle 100% of the recyclable material we collect. To make the contract work we must increase the volumes. Our aim is to send as much sorted product to the paper and plastic mills and the glass foundries so that it can be converted into new, reusable material on an environmentally sustainable basis."
Currently the participation of the George public in recycling is below 8%, compared to Mossel Bay where 13% of households recycle. Interwaste's target is to increase the George figure to 20%.
Interwaste research on the recycling patterns in George has identified the areas with the highest percentage of households that participate in recycling. These areas will be initially targeted while teething problems are ironed out.
Mayor Charles Standers said that the municipality is determined to continue being one of the greenest municipalities in the country.
"The service levels will be monitored by the Refuse Department. We encourage all residents to recommit themselves to recycling."
Hofhuis said that the drop-off section at the depot in Extension Street, Pacaltsdorp Industria, is open to the public. "The public is welcome to drop-off their recycling bags at the site. All health and safety rules must be adhered to when entering."
Blue bags are available from the depot and at council's environmental services office, 82 Meade Street. Blue bags containing non-recyclable items like nappies, food waste, light bulbs and batteries will not be collected. Please rinse out all recycling material before disposing of it.
A visit to the Borchards Recycling depot in Kuile Street in the George Industrial Area revealed that every inch of the premises is piled high with blue bags and recycling material. Disgruntled staff were milling around the property and indicated that they will issue a statement to put forward their side of the story. Chantel Edwards-Klose, George Municipality's media liaison officer, said that Borchards Recycling has undertaken to work away all the waste on the premises.
Helga Krietsch and Jacques Olivier, who initiated the petition to remove Borchards Recycling as the contractor due to their inability to deliver the standard of service expected, said they are overjoyed that recycling will restart. "We appeal to the residents to ensure that all recycling material is washed and clean before being put in the bags."
Interwaste can be contacted on 044 878 0688 for more information.
READ YESTERDAY'S NEWS FLASH
The Interwaste team that will serve the residents of George. Front, from left: Mondé Klaas and Thabiso Malofe. Standing: Kirsty Hofhuis, Miek de Jager, Goodman Ntshiqa, Giviot Mvuba, Leo Makhubalo, Robert Julies and Ian Temple. Back: Mahlibongwe Pityana and Denver Louwrens.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
