Parkwood resident Jacky Simantov is angered over Pikitup‘s refusal to stop delivering blue plastic bags to her residence following numerous complaints.
She claims to have contacted Pikitup four times requesting that she be excluded from the list of households to receive these bags as part of the Separation@Source initiative. This follows an incident earlier this year where a bag was caught under her electric gate causing her motor to burn out, costing a large sum of money.
Simantov said, “I approve of recycling and Separation@Source only if it is done correctly and without creating additional problems for the environment and for households. Unfortunately, the way it is being implemented is not a viable solution.
“As far as I am concerned, the bags themselves are contributing to the environmental problem in many ways and I refuse to be part of this project which fails dismally at its intended purpose.”
She added that the bags are not suitable for households with pets who could be injured by the jagged edge of tins and could get hold of the bags, potentially causing a big mess. “Bags also get wet in the rain and offer little protection for their contents. Bags fly around causing the neighbourhood to look messy and get stuck under gates causing gate motors to burn out. Plastic bags themselves are part of the environmental problem,” said Simantov.
She suggests that Pikitup should instead provide bins for the different recyclable materials.
Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi said that Simantov’s complaint was received, however, she cannot opt out of this programme.
“Residents in affected areas such as Parkwood are obliged to participate in waste separation at the source with effect from 1 July 2018 in line with the City of Johannesburg’s pronouncement. Therefore, the resident cannot opt out of the programme.
“However, we are mindful of the issues raised by the resident and are looking at options that would be convenient for both parties such as monthly bulk supply bags at her convenience,” said Mkhwanazi, who further explained that the standard procedure when delivering the bags is to either place the bag in the post box or in the yard.
Mkhwanazi said that the Separation@Source project is receiving a lot of support from ward councillors, ratepayers’ associations and residents.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/224060/separation-at-source-launches/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/232842/separation-source-become-mandatory-joburg/
