Durban - Concerned businesses and an environmental organisation in Durban have collaborated to address the ongoing pollution in the uMngeni River through a clean-up campaign.
They said that the tons of waste regularly dumped into the river impacts the water quality and poses health threats to wildlife, fisher folk, paddlers and others who use the river daily.
A major contributor to this excessive waste is illegal dumping, they said.
As part of World Clean-up and International Coastal Clean-Up campaigns, four businesses along with non-profit organisation (NPO) Adopt a River and the eThekwini Municipality will tackle illegal dumping through clean-ups in September.
Reefer Cold Storage, a business operating alongside the river, is spearheading the clean-up campaign with the assistance of Adopt a River.
This operation has also welcomed several stakeholders, including BMS Foods (Bluff Meat Supply), Multiquip and AlcoNCP.
The team will work together not only to address the existing waste, but to also restore the land and put in place measures to prevent further dumping.
“We have identified numerous cases of illegal dumping over the years, including the misuse of the park area adjacent to uMngeni River,” explained Stamatis Kapsimalis, CEO and owner of Reefer Cold Storage.
“It was evident the threat it posed to the environment, as well as the hazard it brought to the businesses in the area as well, but nothing was being done about it.”
Kapsimalis said the company got in touch with Janet Simpkins of Adopt a River to find out how they could assist.
“Through much effort and negotiating, Janet and her team have organised a week-long clean-up, with our focus being on the Willowfield Crescent Rejuvenation.”
Commenting on their involvement, Simpkins said: “We were called in to assist with the illegal dumping as the corporates operating in the area were concerned about the environment. Hand in hand we’ve followed due process and worked with the municipality to resolve this the best way we all can. This is a culmination of how effectively municipalities, corporates and NPOs can work together.”