Metro and Mams public take on illegal dumping
Most of the people illegally dumping in open spaces come from different communities.
The Tshwane environment and agricultural management encourages the Mamelodi community to unite and stand together against illegal dumping.
MMC Dana Wannenburg said it was about time that the community start taking care of their environment.
He was addressing residents of Mamelodi together with non-profit organisations during illegal dumping clean-up and tree planting in Mamelodi East during Clean-Up & Recycle week from September 13 to 18.
The campaign started at Mamelodi East section SNS, Emthunzini community park. Trees were planted with the aim of turning the park into a recreational park.
On September 17 they cleaned the river between Tsakane and Bufferzone in Mamelodi East where they also cleaned the illegal dumping site.
More than 80 people participated in the two-day clean-up campaign.
“Illegal dumping is a crime punishable by heavy fines and possible imprisonment.
“The community needs to start forming patrolling teams to prevent illegal dumping,” said Wannenburg.
“Most of the people illegally dumping in open spaces come from different communities.”
The Tshwane management was joined with NGOs in Mamelodi, JNF environmental centre and the community.
“The open spaces turned into dumping sites and need to be taken care of. It is everyone responsibility to take care of these areas.”
Naome Rabothata from Walter Sisulu environmental centre said the clean-up campaign also forms part of celebrating World Clean-up Day.
“We decided to have a workshop with them to teach them the purpose of why we need to clean our environment.
“We told them about the negative impact of illegal dumping and we also taught them alternative ways to minimise their waste,” said Rabothata.
Residents were also taught about recycling and to prevent illegal dumping.
Tshwane waste management supplied the public with plastic bags, gloves and also helped remove the plastics bags.
The public was also advised to identify open spaces and make use of them before they could be turned into illegal dumping sites.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: Trees can ‘positively influence mental health’
More than 30 trees were planted around Mamelodi and at the local schools.
The learners were also encouraged to use bicycles to go to school instead of cars.
“Carbon emissions also cause the climate change and teaching learners at an early age to use bicycles as transport will make a huge difference,” said Thabo Kgotsi of Thandanani Drop Inn centre.
“Riding bicycles to go school was also good for their health as they will keep fit at all times.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
