13 February 2026 Media Release: GRDM, Kannaland, Recyclers and DLG Join Forces to Promote Recycling and Fight Illegal Dumping

Media Release: GRDM, Kannaland, Recyclers and DLG Join Forces to Promote Recycling and Fight Illegal Dumping

13 February 2026

On Monday, 10 February 2026, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with Kannaland Local Municipality, met with recyclers, waste pickers, community members, and representatives of the Western Cape Department of Local Government (WCG DLG).

During the engagement, Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM Waste Management officer, outlined the purpose of the engagement by focusing on what the program was about, identifying needs such as protective gear, training, infrastructure, and fair pricing mechanisms. . She also emphasised the importance of building trust and cooperation between government, recyclers, and communities.

“We must recognise the vital contribution of waste pickers and recyclers in reducing landfill waste and supporting environmental sustainability,” she said.

Sikweyiya also highlighted the importance of exploring ways in which both informal and formal recycling activities can be incorporated into municipal waste management plans and the Green Flag School Programme.

The WCG DLG reported that it has been tasked with addressing illegal dumping in Zoar, with surveys already completed. Waste recyclers welcomed the initiative and pledge to work with the municipality in promoting cleanliness and sustainable waste management practices in Kannaland.

The meeting ended with agreement on holding a follow-up session to tackle illegal dumping in Zoar and boost recycling efforts. This engagement is an important step in supporting recyclers and promoting sustainable waste management in the district.

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Opsomming in Afrikaans

Op Maandag, het die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM), in samewerking met Kannaland Munisipaliteit, ’n vergadering gehou met herwinnaars, afvalplukkers, gemeenskapslede en verteenwoordigers van die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Plaaslike Regering.

Tydens die vergadering het Innocentia Sikweyiya, TDM se Afvalbestuursbeampte, die doel van die program uiteengesit en behoeftes soos beskermende toerusting en klere, opleiding, infrastruktuur en billike prysmeganismes geïdentifiseer. Sy het ook die belangrikheid van vertroue en samewerking tussen die regering, herwinnaars en gemeenskappe beklemtoon, asook die noodsaaklikheid om informele en formele herwinningsaktiwiteite in munisipale afvalbestuursplanne en die ‘Green Flag’ Skoleprogram te integreer.

Die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Plaaslike Regering het aangedui dat hulle reeds opnames voltooi het om onwettige storting in Zoar aan te spreek. Herwinnaars het die inisiatief verwelkom en hul steun toegesê om saam met die munisipaliteit te werk om netheid en volhoubare afvalbestuur in Kannaland te bevorder. ’n Opvolgvergadering sal gehou word om verdere stappe teen onwettige storting te bespreek en herwinning te versterk.

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