uMngeni Municipality to set up recycling programme to reduce amount of waste going to the landfill

07 Nov 2022 in Where We Govern

uMngeni Municipality in Howick wants to boost recycling as it wants to reduce the amount of refuse that is processed at its landfill site.

A delegation from the municipality recently visited the Stellenbosch Municipality in the Western Cape and were in awe of the recycling work being done by that municipality.

Following this visit, the municipality said it would take forward its own recycling plans.

“There is so much that can be recycled and kept from the landfill and reused in the economy. We have a long way to go, but we can start by increasing household recycling as individuals. Recycling must be clean.

“We are looking at a clear bag system for kerbside collections. This will take place over time, within the framework of our resources, but we are clear on the direction,” said the municipality.

UMngeni mayor Chris Pappas said the trip to the Western Cape was partly sponsored by external donors, thus reducing costs for the municipality.

“The purpose of the visit was to learn about the following issues: alternative electricity procurement, consequence management, supply chain, law enforcement, landfill site management, waste recycling, and development planning (town planning and building inspectorate).

“The Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was one of the highlights of the trip. The MRF aims to reduce waste going to landfill, create employment through the green economy, as well as preserve the environment. One of the key priorities of the uMngeni Municipality is better waste and environmental management.

“uMngeni currently has one municipal recycling facility and supports a number of private facilities around the municipal area.

“The aim is to increase the amount of waste that is being recycled over the next few years. Having a better understanding of how Stellenbosch has achieved and implemented their recycling programme will assist the uMngeni Municipality with our own plans,” said Pappas.