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.

Ends.  

Issued by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office.