Competition For The Cleanest Town

Previous page 24th July 2008

Performance in waste management in a broader context, which includes recycling, proper sewage disposal practices, the effective running of landfill sites and creating clean, healthy living conditions for the poor, will determine the winners of this year’s Cleanest Town Competition in South Africa. In a nutshell, the competition is aimed at spurring on municipalities to reduce their carbon footprint.

A key focus of the competition, says Eddie Hanekom of the Department of Environmental Affairs, is sustainable waste management and waste minimisation practices.

Hanekom was the keynote speaker at an information session presented on Monday in George to inform the municipal authorities of George and Eden of the finer details of the competition. Councillors, ward committees, municipal officials and other interested parties from the community attended.

In addition to a holistic approach to judging waste management in its complete sense, the competition will also concentrate on social justice issues around the equitable provision of services to all citizens to redress the inequalities of the past.

"It will also benefit the mitigation with regard to global warming and climate change because methane gas which is generated at landfill sites, is a very powerful greenhouse gas, 20 times more dangerous to the ozone layer than carbon dioxide. Municipalities will curb their carbon footprint by minimising waste and really taking the recycling of waste to heart," said Hanekom.

The Waste Bill which is currently in the cabinet phase before it is published, extends the mandate of municipalities with regard to waste management from cleansing, collection, treatment and disposal tot also include waste minimisation and recycling.

Province drowning in waste

Statistics show that the Western Cape is drowning in waste and that the province is facing a serious landfill airspace problem with 8,8 million cubic metres of waste generated per year which is equivalent to 36,6 million wheelie bins a year (that was in 2003). Of the 240 waste management facilities, only 81 or 34% function with proper permits.

A huge concern is the disposal of household hazardous waste that is being co-disposed with non-hazardous material.
There are many more shortcomings, according to Hanekom, including a lack in law enforcement, the non-existence of national framework legislation and standards, and a lack in skilled integrated waste managers. Political support is also lacking.

Hanekom said that waste management is the responsibility of residents, industries, civil organisations, the private sector and the youth.

Municipalities will be assessed for the competition during August and October.

by ALIDA DE BEER