During a recent clean-up at King’s Beach by Ward 2 residents, it was discovered that most of the 150kg of waste collected, consisted of plastic and paper.
Since these materials pose a great threat to the environment, as well as sealife, this ward’s councillor, Renaldo Gouws, is concerned about the amount of waste found specifically at the beach.
“After the December holidays, it’s always a nightmare, especially with the influx of people at our beaches over the holiday period. That is why we get involved and start to clean up the area,” Gouws said.
“With the beach clean-up we did two weeks prior, we collected 150kg of waste and that was mostly paper, so the weight was in actual fact the paper,” he added.
Gouws feels that a lot could be done to curb littering if there is enough enforcement and community involvement. “The problem that I have now is that we don’t have enough enforcement. Visible policing is the biggest problem and it’s something that I’ve got a massive issue with because we are supposed to do better and be better. I know that the metro police have got their hands full and most of them are in the northern areas fighting gangsterism.
“They are doing an important job and I’m not here to criticise the metro, but I believe that if we could just get the basics of by-law enforcement right, to get people to be fined or arrested if they are breaking a by-law, we’re heading in the right direction.”
Vernon Boggenpoel, chairperson of the ward, said that he was inclined to feel depressed and overwhelmed by the situation, but knows that it will not create a better result. “While we are working on ways to get people to stop littering, the consequences of our throwaway society are accumulating in our beautiful Bay,” he said. “We can’t fix the problem overnight, but we can be part of a positive movement by first of all, recycling, reusing and reducing single–use plastic, as well as attending beach clean-ups.
“We don’t want our future generations to inherit our plastic mess; lets rather leave a more positive legacy,” he added.
When asked if the municipality was aware of all the plastic and paper found at the beach, NMBM spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said that the municipality is only required by law to do waste characterisation once in five years with the generation of the Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP). This could also be done when there is a need for a certain Waste Minimisation project.
“Waste characterisation takes place during clean-up campaigns; however, Waste Management appreciates the information gathered in the event that took place.” He added that Waste Management had procured additional litter bins which would be placed at strategic points along the beach front and other busy areas.
Residents are also reminded that there is a fine of R2 000 for illegal dumping of all waste streams, including plastic.
“The message on littering does not solely refer to the illegal dumping of plastic, but concentrates on the overall illegal dumping in the metro,” Mniki said.
Residents are urged to make use of the toll free number, 0800 20 50 50 as well as contacting the Waste CCTV system on 041 506 2833 to report any illegal dumping occurrences.
The Town Ranger for the City Areas, Elton Swarts, can also be contacted in this regard on 066 484 5840.
- The next clean-up will take place on February 29 at Kings Beach at 10:00.
