eThekwini says cleared 70% waste backlog
eThekwini Municipality said it has cleared 70%
of the backlog in its waste fleet and plant operations, after 18 months of
severe strain on the system.
Logan Moodley, Deputy Head of Plant and Engineering, told Parliament’s Environment Committee on Tuesday that the city handles around 3,400 tons of waste every day.
"Some of the waste facilities, as well as in major areas where waste was actually placed all over or not collected on time, resulting in a stigma attached that the city isn't doing enough," said Moodley.
"So, it was a similar trend in June 2023 in the CBD or the streets littered on the curb and waste that was left uncollected. Illegal dumping was another one-way hotspot; areas were just profoundly impacted with waste."
He said clearing some of the backlog marked the start of stabilising waste services.
However, Moodley added that the issue goes beyond truck shortages as they need to use resources more efficiently.
READ: UKZN graduate converts human waste into safe compost
eThekwini has four landfill sites, but two are nearing capacity.
Moodley said ongoing pressures in the Durban CBD, including waste linked to informal trading, homelessness, and problem buildings.
"However, that space is now improving. There's still a work in progress interventions through bringing visibility to the business.
"Both on holding people accountable, bringing in consequence management, having early warning systems in place, setting up structured groups on how the teams are functioning with improved supervision has begun to show success over the last year," he said.
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