New recycling laws for Joburg

Johannesburg - Johannesburg residents will have to do their own waste separation or risk being fined if proposed new waste management bylaws are put in place, according to a report in The Times on Monday.

The spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg, Gugu Mathibela, said the new bylaws were being drafted and would be available for public comment in four months.

He said it would be part of a "carrot-and-stick" approach to help the city meet its obligations in terms of the domestic waste collection standards set by the National Waste Act, which was launched in January.

"National legislation has set targets for waste minimisation and this has implications for local governments. It forces the city to meet its legislative mandate and the bylaw will facilitate that," said Mathibela.

The bylaws would be introduced following the findings of a pilot project by Johannesburg waste management's Pikitup.

The pilot project, which started in 2009 and involved 35 000 households, has achieved varying degrees of success, said Pikitup spokesperson Pansy Oyedele.

Residents were asked to sort their recyclable waste, putting paper into orange bags and glass and other recyclable items in clear bags.

Environmental Affairs spokesperson Albi Modise said the department encourages the adoption of a new regime in which less waste is produced and cities across South Africa are required to have recycling systems in place.