KnysnaIllegal dumping at Knysna garden refuse disposal site – Knysna https://showme.co.za/knysna Knysna, South Africa for all your local and tourism information; from accommodation to events, entertainment, attractions and news - ShowMe Knysna | T Feed Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://showme.co.za/knysna/?p=58491 Illegal dumping at Knysna garden refuse disposal site https://showme.co.za/knysna/news/illegal-dumping-at-knysna-garden-refuse-disposal-site/ Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:56:16 +0000 A Knysna environmental activist has raised his concerns about illegal dumping at the garden refuse disposal facility...]]>
A Knysna environmental activist has raised his concerns about illegal dumping at the garden refuse disposal facility.

Herman Fourie at the Knysna garden refuse disposal facility.

The resident, Herman Fourie, told Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) that although a notice board at the site clearly states that only basic garden refuse – no building material, scrap metal or glass, plastics, tree branches or trunks longer than 300cm, or household rubbish – is allowed, this is being ignored.

According to Fourie, some residents dispose of all manner of “unacceptable junk” like broken fridges and stoves, old garden furniture, portable pools and Jacuzzis, empty paint containers, old clothes, magazines and the like down the slope and into the stream that starts above the dumpsite and runs next to it before ending in the lagoon.

“People are simply dumping loads of rubbish around the entrance after hours and clearing off…”

Fourie also said there are people who live in squalor at the site, who “assist” by guiding the unloading of waste and soliciting a small fee. It also appears to him that the garden waste doesn’t seem to be applied for useful purposes such as composting, which might be sold to create income.

Municipal spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt appealed to residents to report any illegal dumping at the facility on 044 302 6405 and produce proof in the form of a photograph of the perpetrator’s car registration number. “Complainants must also inform the Garden Route District Municipality’s health services as environmental pollution control is their performance areas,” he said.

“We have on several occasions removed the individuals from the facility; however, they return because there are locals who are giving them money.”

Bezuidenhout said the municipality, together with other role players, has implemented many cleaning projects and a contractor has been appointed to clean all illegal dumpsites in all wards (as reported in KPH on 1 October).

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