Mossel Bay Municipality

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:  25 JANUARY 2017

MUNICIPALITY TO ENFORCE LEGISLATION ON WASTE ON PREMISES

The Municipality intends to step up enforcement of legislation on waste management because of numerous complaints which are received regarding the illegal storage and disposal of waste on the premises of businesses as well as apartment blocks.

The storage of waste on such premises is regulated by the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, No 59 of 2009.  Failure to comply with the Act can result in a fine of R5 000 or imprisonment of five years or both.

In terms of Section 21 of the Act, any person who stores waste must at least take steps, unless otherwise provided by the Act, to ensure that the containers in which the waste is stored are intact, nor corroded or in any other way rendered unfit for the safe storage of waste.

The Act also stipulates that adequate measures must be taken to prevent accidental spillage or leakage, to prevent waste from blowing away, to prevent the rising of nuisances such as odour, visual impacts and the breeding of vectors and to prevent the pollution of the environment and harm to health.

Section 22 (1) of Act states than “any person who generates general waste that is collected by the Municipality must place the waste in a container approved, designated or provided by the Municipality for the purpose and in a location approved or authorised by the Municipality”.

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