THE Westville Environmental Trust is planning on taking action against illegal dumpers who have turned their recycling centre into a dumping site. Located within the Westville Civic Centre, the recycling centre was established to promote sustainable living by collecting recyclables from the community.

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However, the centre has been struggling with waste that cannot be recycled, turning the site into an eyesore. Chris Owen of the organisation said illegal dumping has been an ongoing issue for years. “Unfortunately, the site has become a rubbish dump. Irresponsible people are dumping anything here. It is unacceptable and constitutes illegal dumping,” he said.

Owen added that they have been unable to identify those responsible and are baffled by the situation, especially since Durban Solid Waste (DSW) continues with weekly refuse collection.
“We have two staff members on site, but their instructions are disregarded by those dumping here,” he said.

Residents are encouraged to make use of the “orange bags” for plastic waste and put these out for weekly collection with their normal refuse. The Westville Environmental Trust is unable to sort and recycle the volumes of plastic that are brought to the recycling centre. With only two staff members, it is not cost effective and far too time consuming to sort through the mixed bags.

“We are extremely grateful for the public’s patience as we make every effort to clean up and restore the recycling centre to an acceptable state.”

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Efforts to address the issue with DSW have not yielded results. “They arranged for waste pickers, but the site remains a mess,” Owen noted.
Although the situation has improved in recent weeks, he said further clean-up efforts are still needed. To combat illegal dumping, the Trust is considering installing cameras at the centre.
“This will allow us to capture number plates and prosecute those responsible,” he explained.

The centre has reiterated that it only accepts glass, aluminum and tin cans, paper, and cardboard. “Anything beyond that is illegal to dump here,” Owen emphasised.

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