CoE targets illegal harmful acts on the environment
The entities inspected 13 scrapyards during the operation and issued forms to register for Norms and Standards with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE).
After several complaints from the public, the CoE is taking formidable strides to proactively end the illegal burning of waste tyres in the region.
Recently, the city, working with the Waste Bureau and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, held a joint operation targeting tyre dealers in Ekurhuleni.
The aim was to raise awareness about the dangers of the practice to humans and the environment while encouraging the dealers to register as collection points with the Waste Bureau, thus preventing the illegal distribution of waste tyres.
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The operation also aimed to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008 (Waste Tyre Regulations of 2017; Norms and Standard for the storage of waste 2013; Norms and Standard for sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or bailing of general waste 2017), and the CoE’s Integrated Waste Management (IWM) By-Laws.
The entities inspected 13 scrapyards during the operation and issued forms to register for Norms and Standards with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE).
They inspected 34 registered tyre dealers and registered 26 unregistered tyre dealers with the Waste Bureau on the spot.
Among the scrapyards visited, one had operated without a waste management license and had not registered under the norms and standards.
Over the years to date, the city’s Department of Environmental Resources and Waste Management Services (DERWMS) has taken decisive action against illegally burning tyres, especially in Witfield, Lillianton, Primrose and surroundings.
According to the city’s IWM By-laws coupled with the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008, burning waste tyres is illegal, contaminates the environment and carries a fine of R10 000 fine or a jail sentence of six months imprisonment.
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To date, the city’s DERWMS and the EMPD have recorded significant successes in the fight against this act of lawlessness. These include a case of four suspects who pleaded guilty on December 13, 2022.
The court sentenced them to two months in prison or a R2 000 fine, plus an additional two months or a R1 000 fine.
On July 17, 2023, an accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a R10 000 fine.
The court stressed the need for greater environmental education and awareness.
There are six ongoing cases of tyre burning in the city.
The city has an awareness campaign to curtail this environmentally harmful activity. It targets tyre dealers to teach them about the environmental disadvantages of their activities and help them register as collection points with the Waste Bureau.
Residents are urged to report illegal waste tyre burning when they see it through the city’s environmental crimes email hotline EnviroCrimes&Complains@ekurhuleni.gov.za, enviroment@tip-offs.com, 0800 205 005 or through the city’s Call Centre on 0860 543 000.
