Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association recovers from lockdown dumping horror
It has taken the non-profit organisation months to clear out the piles of rubbish that were dumped at its depot during level 4 and level 5 of lockdown.
AFTER its lockdown dumping disaster, where three of DSW’s three-ton trucks were called in to help remove the piles of waste, the Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association’s Recycling Centre is now cleared and back up and running.
As the list for recycling centres for Upper Highway residents grew thinner with the sudden closure of the Kloof Recycling Depot, the opening of the Hillcrest depot could not have come at a better time.
During the lockdown, which began of 27 March, the recycling centre in Hillcrest shut its doors.
The non-profit organisation’s Marge Mitchell said the staff did not work during the lockdown and she expected that the public would not take items to the centre.
A chain was hung across the entrance to the facility and a closed sign was also put up.
“It was with dismay and disappointment that, as the months went by, the public were using the recycling centre as their personal dumping ground. The abuse was horrific,” said Mitchell. “The rubbish that was dumped illegally was partially removed on three weekends by DSW, to whom the Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association is very grateful. They came in with a crane, a front end loader and three three-ton trucks.”
ALSO READ: DSW officially shuts down Kloof Recycling Depot
A local resident and supporter of the recycling site, Jodi Pons stepped in and, together with her four children and a few of their friends, and one or two community-minded women, worked each day for three weeks until it was cleared.
“One illegal dumper was identified and there is an affidavit to that effect with the Metro Police, who are laying a charge of illegal dumping,” said Mitchell.
The non-profit organisation has hired one full-time staff member and two part-time staff members to help manage the site and, during level five and four of the lockdown, all three staff members still received a full salary even though they were not permitted to work.
“The very best is still to come,” said Mitchell. “Brad Speirs of The Upcyclers joined forces with the KHBA and put in place all the protocols required for reopening the recycling centre at Level 3 lockdown. It is now the go-to place to take your recyclables.”
The drop off site, on Delamore Road in Hillcrest, is open from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to 1.30pm.
They only accept paper, cardboard, polystyrene from large appliances, cans, tins and glass bottles and glass jars.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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