SBM residential recycling service gets green light for the next three years
The Saldanha Bay Municipality’s free residential door-to-door recycling collection service has been given the green light to continue for the next three years. Beginning in Langebaan in October 2016, the service has been extended year by year and now covers the wider municipal area.
To date, over 7 500 households from all seven towns within the municipal area have joined in the “We Care – Recycle” programme. This means that one in every three households are into the recycling routine. Each week, a full bag of recyclables is collected and swopped for a fresh bag to carry on with.
‘The steady increase of residents joining the service has led to significant diversion of waste materials from our landfill. It has also created 46 jobs for our local community,’ said David Wright, Senior Manager: Solid Waste and Bulk Water Supply.
Recycling waste materials instead of landfilling saves on energy and natural resources, helps reduce littering and encourages broader environmental awareness and action.
Last year the programme won a national environmental award. During the recent Recycle Week, the municipality partnered with the West Coast National Park and Sea Harvest to hold a schools promotional and educational event.
Ratepayers not yet on the programme (or who have been, but have run out of clear bags to restart) can collect free ‘starter’ bags for recycling from any Saldanha Bay Municipal office. They are also available for purchase at participating retailers.
Full details on what is recyclable and how to participate are available on the municipal website at www.sbm.gov.za.
Photograph caption: Langebaan Primary School learners modelled their recyclable clothing at the “Trashion Show”, held at the Vredenburg Landfill Site.
