LETTER | How city could deal with its big problem of increased littering

I have read numerous well-meaning statements made by the municipality promising action against individuals littering and dumping illegally.
I remember reading an article published on HeraldLIVE on December 23 last year where municipal spokesman Kupido Baron is quoted as saying, “The process of identifying those responsible for illegal dumping was initiated to address the issue at the core. We will start soon to hold them accountable by enforcing our by-laws.”
Presumably he meant fining those responsible for illegal dumping.
It seems that whatever the municipality is doing is not working as many areas in Port Elizabeth now resemble dumping sites.
It is also apparent that the money generated from fines, if such fines are indeed being levied and collected, is not being used to clean our city, highways, parks and beaches.
The same can be said about the money which homeowners and businesses pay the municipality in the form of rates and taxes.
I believe that a new strategy needs to be adopted. I have listed a few suggestions: Laws could be changed so that instead of fines, littering and illegal dumping offenders would be forced to perform community services.
Litter or dump illegally and you will be condemned to several hours of community service picking up garbage.
This has been successfully implemented in many countries, including African countries.
The municipality could start a recycling programme, initially by collecting plastics, cardboard and paper, and later extending to all other recyclable products.
There are already private organisations in Port Elizabeth, such as Greencycle, who collect and send products to recycling plants.They could advise or even contract with the municipality to recycle on its behalf.
All shops could follow SPAR Eastern Cape’s initiative and phase out all plastic bags.
A hefty deposit could be levied on all plastic bottles, as is the case with glass bottles, to ensure that they are all returned and recycled.
This has already been legislated in several countries.Remove or replace the current blue plastic rubbish bins around town.
These bins are not only counterproductive, but also encourage dumping.
Plastic bags full of garbage are placed next to these bins.
Individuals empty the bags and the contents of the bins onto the pavements to search for anything of value.
These individuals then use the bags to carry away their valuables and leave the garbage on the pavements.
The garbage is rapidly spread and a lot of it ends up in our ocean.
Where bins are essential, replace them with bins similar in design to those used by the SA National Parks.
The bins are constructed in such a way that the contents cannot be extracted by the public once they have been put into the bin.
In addition, the bins are made from recycled materials.
Nationally, DStv, our television networks and radio broadcasters could take the lead from Sky Ocean Rescue by creating and airing anti-littering adverts and campaigns specific to our region.
Finally, we could all play our part. We can join litter pickup groups such as those organised by Wessa and we can pick up litter while walking around our streets, in our nature reserves, in our parks and on our beaches.
Port Elizabeth used to be one of the cleanest cities in the country and it could be once again.
-Tony Bastos, Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth

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