Public outcry over orange plastic bags
FOLLOWING allegations of corruption regarding manufacturing and distribution of orange recycling bags by ethekwini’s Durban
Solid Waste Department (DSW), many residents are complaining that they are still waiting to be supplied with the recycling plastic bags while others say the city has since stopped collecting them.
The city’s 11-year-old award-winning programme was intended to protect the environment, promote re-use of resources, reduce waste at landfills and promote the separation of waste at source. But the programme has been hampered by corruption.
A forensic investigation into the awarding of a contract for R90 million to supply orange recycling bags to the city has found that the tender process was fraught with irregularities.
The award was given to a company which allegedly lacked experience and the technical knowledge. It continuously failed to deliver in terms of the contract. This resulted in a shortage of bags setting back recycling efforts.
The city, though, has announced that the programme is back after it was halted in November last year due to “storm damages” at the recycling plant.
But some Chatsworth residents are not buying this story and have complained that they are still not getting the orange bags.
“We still have to make a special request for bags, or we don’t receive any,” said Letha Singh in a letter to City Watch. “The municipality in all these years has yet to find a new supplier to manufacture orange bags. What a shambles
“We are expected to leave our glass/recycling bags out on the day of our refuse collection, in my case a Tuesday. For the past three weeks, there has been no collection. Monkeys and dogs are tearing the bags and that creates work for us senior citizens,” wrote Singh.
Another Kharwastan resident, Rowen Moodley said he had been waiting since March to get the recycling bags.
“My family has stopped participating in the recycling programme because the city is failing to deliver on its promise,” said Moodley.
City spokesperson Mandla Nsele is adamant that the collection and distribution of the orange bags is taking place in all areas.
“If the residents are not receiving the service, they need to contact the cleansing and solid waste education and waste minimisation office on 031 3220780 or email Kdbarec@ durban.gov.za for assistance,” he said.