Environmental Affairs

Interwaste Wynberg

CANDICE LUIS, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE COMPANY:

The Wynberg depot is a functioning transfer station, registered in terms of the applicable National Norms and Standards, that serves the surrounding community.

Initially, sporadic complaints regarding odours were received from neighbours directly adjacent to the site. Although air quality monitoring results indicated that applicable air quality thresholds were not being breached, in the best interests of the surrounding businesses and community, Interwaste took steps to mitigate against potential nuisance odours. The site therefore only accepts municipal solid waste and dry industrial wastes, which is only loaded for bulk transport after normal business hours. The site is cleared and cleaned overnight in preparation for the next day.

Additional precautionary measures employed by Interwaste include the installation and operation of an odour cure system which functions on a “24/7” basis. Modifications have also been made to the transfer station shed, in order to contain potential odours. THE Minister of Environmental Affairs is currently considering the appeal submitted by Interwaste in relation to the directive issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs. As part of the appeal process, additional specialist reports were commissioned to assist the minister in her decision-making process. These reports have now been finalised and were sent out last week to Interwaste and all other interested and affected parties for comment.

Once these comments have been received, the minister will make a decision to confirm, modify or to cancel the directive, said spokesperson Albi Modise, chief director of communications.