Walkathon campaign tackles illegal dumping in Eldorado Park

The Empire Bus and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) have launched an educational awareness campaign aimed at stopping illegal dumping and promoting recycling in Eldorado Park.

The initiative was launched at Mahonie Park with a community walkathon from Mahonie Crescent and Hoof Road to the Eldorado Park Police Station. During the walk, organisers and stakeholders engaged residents about the importance of protecting the environment and reducing waste.

Stakeholders included representatives from the CoJ, Pick it Up, the Seriti Institute, Purpose Recycling and local community organisations.

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Karen Stevens, events manager and marketing representative for Empire Bus, said the walkathon marked the start of a broader campaign to encourage communities to take responsibility for their environment.

“This is our first event with the CoJ and other partners. The aim is to raise awareness about the environment and promote the ‘Breed Better Cities’ campaign,” Stevens said.

She explained that illegal dumping remains one of the biggest environmental challenges facing Eldorado Park and surrounding communities.

“Our main focus in Eldos is to clean up the area first. Illegal dumping has to stop, and we are encouraging residents to recycle because it helps keep our environment clean and also creates jobs within the community,” she said.

Stevens added that recycling initiatives in the area are already helping to create opportunities for residents.

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“There are companies like Purpose Recycling and the Waste Warrior Women that are doing important work in the community. They have even opened a new centre in Extension 8, and we want to recognise the role they play in promoting recycling,” she said.

She noted that community members were receptive to the campaign’s message and many of them want to recycle and become part of the solution

However, she said local recycling initiatives face challenges, particularly around funding and transport.

“One of the biggest obstacles is transport. Recycling companies can collect materials, but getting those materials to recycling plants requires funding and vehicles,” she said.

“If we can get support or sponsorship for transport, it will make a huge difference because recycling has the potential to create many more jobs in the community.”

Stevens also encouraged residents to take responsibility for keeping their neighbourhoods clean.

“We want the community to hold each other accountable. If someone is illegally dumping, it must be reported. We can only succeed if everyone works together,” she said.

Among those supporting the initiative was Zandile Hlatshwayo, founder of the youth-focused organisation Sikhulisa Intsha Yethu, which works on environmental education in Soweto.

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“Our organisation focuses on educating young people and communities about the environment and littering. We always say cleanliness is next to godliness,” Hlatshwayo said.

She said the organisation joined the campaign to spread awareness about environmental protection and the dangers of pollution.

“We want communities to breathe fresh air. Air pollution is becoming a serious problem, especially when people burn waste or dump rubbish illegally,” she said.

Hlatshwayo added that recycling could also help address youth unemployment if it is properly supported.

“I encourage young people to research recycling and understand how it can benefit both the environment and the economy,” she said.

She acknowledged that many community recycling initiatives face logistical challenges, particularly when it comes to transporting recyclable materials.

“Schools and community groups are collecting recyclable waste, but they struggle to get it to recycling plants. That is one of the biggest challenges we face,” she said.

Hlatshwayo appealed to companies and potential partners to support community recycling initiatives.

“If companies can assist us, we can do much more. Our vision is to eventually open a facility where we can employ more than 200 people and produce items like bags and garden furniture from recycled materials,” she said.

Organisers said the campaign forms part of the Breed Better Cities initiative under the Seriti Institute and the CoJ, in partnership with Pick it Up, Purpose Recycling and Empire Bus.

Following the Eldorado Park launch, similar awareness campaigns are planned for other areas, including Klipspruit, Soweto, Orange Farm and Ennerdale as the programme expands across Region G.