Illegal dumping can quickly become a headache in public spaces by reducing the quality of their experience of place and becoming a laborious task to manage and clear. It could also result in a public health hazard.
Illegal dumping falls under eThekwini Municipality’s waste management by-laws and is the discarding of waste illegally instead of using permitted methods such as curb side collection or using an authorized dump site.
Different areas face their challenges and varying degrees of illegal dumping. We chat to Nwabisa Mkhize, Riverhorse Valley Business Estate Precinct Manager, to find out more about illegal dumping and how it affects Riverhorse Valley.
- Is illegal dumping a major issue in the precinct you manage
Although we do have the occasional illegal dumping incident taking place, it isn’t a major issue in Riverhorse Valley and the RHVBE Management Association cleaning and security teams work hard to make sure that areas in the precinct don’t become the target for illegal dumping.
- Is there a specific type of material that is most dumped?
During the rare incidents of illegal dumping in the precinct, we find that the most common type of material dumped is rubble. - How is illegal dumping managed in the precinct and do you work with the municipality in managing this?
RHVBEMA CCTV controllers and cleaning, greening, and maintenance staff on the ground continuously lookout for any illegal dumping issues. If an offender was not picked up on camera committing the crime we usually, contact our cleaning service provider to attend to the illegally dumped items. In cases where the offender is caught on camera, we dispatch someone from our team to the area to stop them and ask that all items be reloaded onto their vehicle and give them a warning. In cases where it is business doing the illegal dumping, we report it to eTM’s illegal dumping department, where they take further action.
- Do you know where the closest landfill site to Riverhorse Valley is located?
Yes, we use the Springfield Landfill Site. Please keep in mind that each landfill and dumping site has its own rules and regulations, contact the site directly if you require more information.
You can report illegal dumping in the in the eThekwini Municipal areas by calling 031 311 8804.
