Residents complain about Interwaste FG Landfill on Olifantsfontein
MIDRAND - The Department of Environmental Affairs confirmed that ‘In April 2014 criminal and administrative enforcements were initiated against Interwaste FG Landfill’.
The department’s spokesperson Albi Modise explained, “Since investigations are underway, the department cannot, at this stage, disclose its findings with regard to allegations of non-compliance by the landfill.”
This revelation comes after complaints by Glen Austin residents who allege that Interwaste FG Landfill on Olifantsfontein Road, could be disposing of toxic waste.
Stephen Pretorius and Christelle James, a couple who live directly opposite the landfill, said the community wants more investigations to be done.
“Early morning a ‘chemical’ smell hangs in the air, our furniture and vehicles also have layers of dust.” The couple said residents have a petition and want Interwaste to use effective odour and dust repression systems.
Paddington’s Educare Center principal Candice Gilford told the paper that waste disposal trucks going into Interwaste speed past a stop street at the school. “Waste flies off the trucks all the time. The odour is terrible.”
Delacon Planning were appointed by a resident to lodge a complaint against the landfill. A consultant, MJ Oberholzer said, “The objection requested that an abate nuisance order in terms of the health control bylaws be issued but nothing has been.”
He said besides the dust and odour, residents are concerned about water pollution in the future. The majority of Glen Austin residents are reliant on borehole water.
Interwaste’s group legal adviser and health and safety manager, Allen de Villiers denied that Interwaste FG Landfill manages toxic waste. “Interwaste has operations throughout South Africa, some of which are involved in hazardous waste management, but the FG Landfill only handles two types of waste,” he said.
“Household waste collected by municipalities and low hazard and de-listed waste are dealt with at the landfill.”
He stated that the landfill’s Cell 2A complies with the national norms and standards of disposal of waste to a landfill.
In response to dust and odour complaints he said Interwaste had a dust repression system. “The dust may be coming from a soil stockpile at the entrance of [the] landfill, it is not owned by the company.”
During a site tour at the landfill, a manager told Midrand Reporter that they use water tanks to reduce dust and the landfill keeps odours “to a minimal by covering the waste with soil”. He said it could also be [because] over 300 trucks frequent the site per day.
Ekurhuleni Municipality spokesperson Sinky Mpaketjane confirmed that a complaint was laid against Interwaste.
“We have issued Interwaste FG Landfill with a notice regarding the smell and air quality that needs to be regulated.”
On 28 July at 2pm, Interwaste will hold a public meeting at the landfill to address concerns raised by residents.
