The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has declared a war on waste with a special programme designed to fight illegal dumping through bulk waste removal.
The special programme kick-started at the beginning of the month and will be running until December 22.
The Solid Waste Management unit will visit KwaNobuhle, Kabah, West End, Missionvale, Bethelsdorp, KwaZakhele, Zwide, KwaMagxaki, Zwide, KwaDwesi and Joe Slovo.
Public Health portfolio head, Thsonono Buyeye, recently joined the Solid Waste team in New Brighton where he urged residents to take out all the waste that cannot be accommodated during the weekly waste removal schedules.
“Bulky waste stream is waste that is bulky in its size, weight and nature. It cannot be deposited or accommodated in a normal refuse receptacle such as wheelie bins or a normal black refuse bag. These include matresses, beds, bedroom suites, couches, old zinc tables, chairs, big tree stumps and cupboards.
“We know that during the festive season, residents get their bonuses and buy new furniture.
“Most residents in the targeted areas experience challenges in managing bulky waste within their households due to the limited space available within yards for storage of this waste stream. Residents normally place the waste on the pavement but it won’t be collected by the normal waste collection vehicles. They end up dumping it since the municipality is not collecting it together with the normal domestic household collection of waste. That is what we are trying to stop,” Buyeye explained.
New Brighton residents heeded the call and took out their waste for collection.
Resident, Tobeka Msibe, said, “I am so happy to have all this waste removed from my yard.
“I have been struggling for some time with waste after my wheelie bin was stolen. This is a great way for us to clear this year’s waste before we cross over to the New Year.”
Residents are urged to spread the word, be on the lookout for municipal officers who will be loud hailing before the pick-up and check the schedule that will be rolled out, weather permitting.
