How to deal with rubble removal
Illegal dumping has become a serious problem in South Africa, and, despite popular belief, it’s not confined to informal settlements. Instead, parks, pavements and accessible open spaces are fast becoming unsanctioned dumping grounds.
In addition to being an eye sore, illegal dumping negatively impacts the environment; is hazardous to health and safety; leads to blockages in stormwater drains and sewerage infrastructure; and costs municipalities millions of Rands every year.
In an effort to address the problem of illegal dumping municipalities have tightened bylaws and increased fines and prison sentences for those found guilty.
Residential waste
For most homeowners, the municipal waste collection service caters for their weekly requirements, and industrious waste pickers help municipalities deal with waste separation and recycling.
However, trying to put your building rubble or ‘hard’ garden waste in your municipal bin could see your waste not being collected. This is because building rubble and hard garden refuse – such as tree branches, rocks and large quantities of sand – need to be disposed of in a different area of the council landfill. The same is true for large household items like fridges and mattresses.
If you’re planning on doing renovations, tree felling or simply need to get rid of large or heavy waste, these are your options:
- Take it to the dump: Consult your municipal website for the location of landfill sites. Be prepared to pay a fee and make sure you have someone with you to help you offload.
- Order a skip: If you expect to have a large amount of rubble or waste you can order a skip which will be placed on your pavement for a set period (normally 7 days). Be sure to check the company you choose has a good reputation and does not engage in illegal dumping.
- Get a rubble removal service: If the image of the skip on your pavement doesn’t appeal to you or you aren’t keen on doing all the heavy lifting yourself, then a rubble removal service is just what you need. Be prepared with the details about how much rubble will need removing and confirm that they will provide the labour. Be sure to deal with a reputable company that will deal with you and your rubble appropriately.
