Newly Built Transfer Stations Help Reduce Illegal Dumping, Promotes Recycling

The City is accelerating efforts to fight the scourge of illegal dumping, while encouraging the culture of making a living through recycling.

Over R5 million has been spent on the construction and refurbishment of transfer stations and recycling centres at Actonville, Wattville and Daveyton. The scope of work included the installation of water and sewer reticulation systems, concrete loading bays, retaining walls and earthworks.

Cooperatives based in these communities welcomed the construction of these facilities in their neighbourhood.

“These facilities are meant to strengthen waste recycling operations and programmes in the City, but also to support informal waste recyclers who play a critical role in keeping the environment clean and habitable,” said Divisional Head for Waste Management Services Mandisa Phosa.

Edwin Magudulela (62) from Wattville is a member of Nkoza Environment and Cleaning Cooperative that is made up of 20 members. Edwin says all members have undergone training on joint venture formation and business management skills, facilitated by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) in 2010. The training has helped upskill members in understanding the recycling business.

“Collecting recyclables has afforded us an opportunity to support our families. As a cooperative we give ourselves a period of four weeks to collect all the valuable recyclables, mainly focusing on items such as aluminium tin (cold drink cans) worth R12.60 per kilogram, cardboard at R1.00 per kilogram and 5ℓ plastic containers at R3.00 per kilogram. We collect and bring all these items to the transfer station, sort them, and pack them in bales to sell at the buy-back centres,” said Magudulela.