Cleaning up our green spaces
“People should clean up the area if they are bothered by the mess.”
To prevent further deterioration of vacant land, Edenvale residents have taken it upon themselves to clean the veld in the area.
The initiative, organised by Elize van Zyl, saw residents cleaning the open land near Laurie and Aitken roads in early November.
The group of 12 residents filled 20 black bags with the litter they found in the veld.
Also read: Illegal dumping is everyone’s problem
“A lot of the litter and rubbish we found was normal household items and building rubble,” said Elize.
These included bottle caps, packaging, empty tea boxes and everyday litter.
Elize said plastic bags and other items had blown into the veld and become entangled with the grass.
She knows the community complains about the state of the veld in open areas, so she decided to do something.
Also read: Resident frustrated with roadside refuse
“If I saw all that rubbish every day, I would also get upset. People should clean up the area if they are bothered by the mess.”
Elize is also concerned that if the garbage is left unchecked it will attract rodents which could spread diseases.
“Although a lot of community members blame vagrants living in the veld for the mess, I think illegal dumping has a large role to play.”
Elize said she has seen photographs of people illegally dumping in Edenvale.
When the NEWS met with Elize in the veld parallel to Van Riebeeck Avenue, the items we found included roof tiles, windscreens, coffee mugs and parts of a toilet.
Elize will hold her next clean-up day on December 9, focusing on the veld next to Van Riebeeck Avenue below the Greenstone Crescent Shopping Centre.
The clean-up group will meet at the closed section of Aitken Road off Van Riebeeck Avenue at 8am.
Participants are encouraged to bring work clothes, closed shoes, gloves and black bags.
Elize encouraged community members to join her in making a difference.
To contact Elize, email filottoe@gmail.com
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