DEGRADING OUR AREA
As the dirt bin days and recycle bin days go by, week by week, one increasingly gets a degrading feeling of the local residential area during those days. The days in between is spent by residents and neighbourhood watches getting rid of the remnance left on numereous pavements, hidden corners but most worryingly right in the middle of general public walkways.
Bin picking, albeit potentially being an income source for those entering the residential areas, can lead to the general degradation of the areas being frequented. It can also lead to unsanitary conditions, potential health hazards, and visual blight.
Bin picking generally involve the removal of waste that could be recycled and the leaving behind of other unwanted waste, creating an unsightly and unsanitary environment. In some instances, medical waste such as used injections with needles intact or expired medication can be found strewn on pavements. This can have extremely dangerous consequences when found by unsupervised children playing in the village or the bordering edges thereof.
Since bin picking involves rummaging through bins that can lead to spilled waste, debris which then also have the potential to attract various pests. All of which can create an unpleasant and unsanitary environment right in the middle of a residential area. The process of bin picking, with scattered waste and potential for unsightly clutter, can detract from the overall aesthetics of a residential area and negatively impact property values.
In some cases, bin picking may go hand in hand with illegal activities like theft and can lead to conflicts between bin pickers and residents, particularly if the bin pickers are perceived as a nuisance or if there are concerns about safety and security.
Feedback from Law Enforcement:
The DPU regularly attends to this particular matter, usually over weekends. LE management personally visit this location, particularly on bin collection days, as this is when individuals tend to gather. It is important to note that the site is not being used for permanent occupation, but rather as a temporary gathering point on specific days of the week.
Law Enforcement and the DPU continue to issue compliance notices and Section 56 notices (fines) where applicable. While the DPU does assist with cleaning efforts, the unit is not resourced to maintain a sustained cleaning program at this location. LE management will, however, request Solid Waste to provide additional support with maintaining cleanliness in the area.
It should also be noted that sitting in a public space is not a violation of any City by-laws. However, the dumping of waste contravenes both the Streets and Public Places By-law and the Integrated Waste Management By-law. Unfortunately, issuing fines in such cases is challenging, as officers must directly witness an individual dumping or littering in order to take enforcement action.
Law Enforcement and the DPU will continue to monitor the area and take the necessary action in line with their mandate.
Dit maak my van my trollie af:
In almost all of these scenes, one does find the presence of one or more shopping trolleys which also bring another dimension to the messy bin picking scenario. The opportunity to get some practical answers on the lack of control of these led to the response and offer below:
REQUEST:
Any chance you can ask Law Enforcement for a comment on the ever-increasing shopping trolley movement, destruction thereof etc. plus is there any policing strategy or guidelines that can be followed by the residents, security and neighbourhood watches? Is there anything more shops should do to inform shoppers about trolley management etc.?
RESPONSE:
Residents can send me an email about this, please. The more residents enquire and the more emails I can forward with complaints, the better.
Thanks
Cllr Miquette Temlett (DA)
Email: Miquette.Temlett@capetown.gov.za
