Recycling talk helps entrench clean-up message
WENTWORTH residents were educated on the importance of recycling and proper housekeeping on Thursday, 16 July, in a bid by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) to clean up the community.
The workshop, held at the Austerville community hall, taught people about sustainable living, good housekeeping and the benefits of recycling.
DSW’s Sherelee Odayar and Philisiwe Ndlovu spoke about the necessity of recycling in order to reduce the load at landfill sites, which are reaching full capacity. According to the pair, 1.5-billion tons of waste is created per year in the eThekwini region and while about 60% of household waste can be recycled, only about 12% is being produced.
Residents are warned that mixing waste in orange bags is illegal, as is putting bags out on the wrong day. All electronics, light bulbs, batteries and disks should not be disposed of in trash bags, but taken to a buy-back or drop-off centre.
Rosanne Griffins from Mpact Recycling also spoke about the need for recycling as it pertains to the preservation of the environment and the creation of jobs.
Following the discussion, residents gathered on Mandela Day, Saturday, 18 July to participate in a SDCEA and Communities Building Credible Organisation-hosted community clean-up. Volunteers cleaned up Alabama Major Calvert, Landsdowne, Tuin, Victor Lawler and Woodville Roads, Hime Street and Austerville Drive.
“It is our responsibility to teach the children how to be responsible for their area,” said SDCEA co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa of the clean-up.
