Waste Exchanged for money in Wells Estate and Kwazakhele – NMBM

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s new
Cleaning and Greening project has seen hundreds of residents in Wells Estate
and KwaZakhele taking their trash seriously following the successful launch of
the new project that saw residents exchanging waste for money on Wednesday, 1
June 2022. 

The City launched the much-anticipated
project in the two areas, and will roll it out in other areas to eradicate the
crisis of illegal dumping across the City and take recycling initiatives closer
to the residents. This
is in line with the City’s commitment to rebuild a healthy and sustainable
environment that will take care of its residents in return. 

The City has partnered with various
businesses, government entities and community organisations to encourage the spirit
of ownership and working together to find sustainable solutions for the
environment. 

“Today is an exciting day for our
people as we have brought them businesses that will help them to see waste
differently, to see waste as money. The Waste Trade Company has partnered with
us in this project and will be visiting various residential areas on a weekly
basis to collect recyclables from residents and giving them money in
exchange,” said NMBM Public Health Mayoral Committee Member Cllr Thsonono
Buyeye. 

Buyeye said as part of the programme, the
City would be clearing illegal dumping spots, educating residents in an effort
to change their behavior, beautifying the misused spots and planting drought
resistant trees. 

During the launch, scores of residents
grabbed the opportunity to learn more about recycling when they brought tons of
waste to the mobile “packa-ching” truck in exchange for money. 

“We want to see real change in our
communities. Illegal dumping has reached crisis level and we cannot continue
like this, we need to change the way we do things, it starts at home, it must
be a norm for us to recycle where we can, we must reduce the amount of waste we
put out for collection and reuse what we can. We only have one Earth and if we
don’t take care of it, it will turn against us,” Buyeye added. Resident
Nomathemba Mgamama who took part in the programme said: “I am very pleased
to finally see something like this taking place in our ward. We live in dirt;
it has become a norm for people to not see anything wrong with dumping waste
illegally. But with this recycling initiative brought closer to us now, we believe
we will see a difference as people want real solutions that can also benefit
them. 

“I brought my waste here today and
have managed to get some funds and will be able to buy some food. Emmy
Nxayeka from Waste Trade said residents should be on the look out for weekly
visits by the mobile recycling truck to collect recyclables. 

“Today was a huge success, people have
really responded well to the project and we hope it grows from strength to
strength. We do want to request that residents clean the recyclables before we
collect, we don’t want dirty items. They must tell everyone about the project,
we even register children from the age of 12 years, so it’s a project for
everyone really,” Nxayeka said adding that the mobile truck would collect
on Thursdays in Wells Estate and on Tuesdays in KwaZakhele at the ward
councillors offices.

Residents are urged to take part in
recycling projects and to refrain from illegal dumping.

Issued by the Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality Communications Office.