Illegal dumping costs a pretty penny

Daily dumping occurs at this open space in Acacia Road.

Illegal dumping in Parkwood has become a big and expensive problem.

Every year the City spends about R347.9 million to clear illegal dumping: R122.9 million on water and sanitation to address sewer blockages caused by dumping and vandalism and R225 million is spent by depots and specialised teams on removing dumped waste.

This means R347.9 million of money residents pay for rates and services is spent to clean up when people and businesses dispose of their property in an improper way in open fields, along roads and down sewer systems.

Parkwood DA proportional representation (PR) councillor Elgan Fortune is now looking at ways to curb dumping in the area by creating recreational and garden spaces. “The City has to clean certain dumping hot spots in the area weekly because people keep throwing their dirt and even human waste on open pieces of land,” said Mr Fortune. “The moment the spots are cleaned people go and dump their things again. It is so unnecessary and costly and it’s unsightly. So what we’ve decided to do is to beautify our place and we want people to take dignity and pride in their community,” he said.

Resident Moegamat Davids, who will be looking after the garden once it’s completed, said he tries his utmost to stop people from dumping.

“From my flat I can see people dumping and I try to stop them but they come late at night to dump their filth and dirt. I want to encourage people to please stop dumping and making our community look so ugly. I really hope this helps in trying to stop the problem,” said Mr Davids.

Mr Fortune encouraged people to report illegal dumping. “If you see people dumping take a picture and report them so that we can put a stop to the dumping,” he said.

Illegal dumping can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline, the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089 or email wastewise@capetown.gov.za or call the Solid Waste By-law Enforcement Unit on 021 400 6157.