The waste diversion initiative by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology is indeed a noble environmental sustainable project. If only Grant Twigg, Mayco member for urban waste management, quietly rightly praised the zero-waste project. Yet, the question remains: is it going to remain sustainable?
Take for instance the projects promoted by the City over the years! When wheelie bins were introduced, residents received pamphlets as to what could, or could not, be dumped in them. It even provided special bins in certain areas for recyclable materials.
There was a time when recycling was the in-thing when many businesses, venues, allowed drop-off points for certain items – including fluorescent tubes, batteries, etc.
No longer! And in the interim, as society finds the pleasures of life more attractive, we now even dump highly toxic items of all sorts in the convenient wheelie bin. Even asbestos.
Which may only be dumped at a site at Bellville South. It is so much more convenient to just dump (all sorts of items/cuttings) in the cover of darkness at some convenient spot. No wonder the City has waste trucks on the roads seven days a week!
While the drom-krappers are the curse of numerous residents it is unbelievable the number of sugar/maize bags they fill on many days of recyclable items. For which they are paid by recycling depots. Yes, some litter the pavements and streets, but there is a way the culprits can be stopped. Without force.
Which brings me to the outcry from residents surrounding the Goodwood dump site. Over a decade ago, the City eventually found a suitable site amidst much fanfare; until after further investigation, it was rejected due to water level issues.
As usual, the issue was swept under the foundations of City’s sacred headquarters!
I mean, the wagon moves on.
The very same scenario applies to what gets dumped into waste water outlets in numerous buildings. Or down manholes. Or anywhere else! Oh well, ratepayers can pay.
J Beelders, Vasco
