All Hands On Waste

The All Hands on Waste team engaging with the community at Njoli Taxi Rank on 15 April 2011.

It was the kick start of the project’s second phase, where commuters, residents in the area and school children were all addressed about the importance of healthy waste management habits.

Dignitaries included Councillor Mapu of that ward and Executive Director of Public Health, Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni. Councillor Mapu indicated, “It is important to keep Port Elizabeth Nelson Mandela Bay clean all the time; we need to continue making it the number one cleanest municipality” Mapu emphasized the importance of recycling, “not only will it clean our environment, but it can also create employment opportunities in this era of high unemployment.” Dr Chabula-Nxiweni added that many diseases in the communities are a result of people not knowing how to manage the waste that is generated, which in turn becomes a health hazard especially the organic waste in kitchens.”

Hawkers in and around the taxi rank area were informed as to how best to manage the waste that forms part of their daily lives as they do business. All Hands on Waste facilitators also engaged with taxi drivers urging them to dispose the oil used in their vehicles responsibly.

Project sponsors, Buyisa-e-Bag and the ROSE Foundation, made giveaways available during the event, which was handed out by the facilitators to commuters.

The All Hands on Waste project is a project funded by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality through the money it received for being the cleanest city and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). The project forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s commitment to environmental management and
cleanliness in the city, departments, NGO’s and private companies. The project is aimed to educate the community about responsible waste management habits. For more information on the project, contact the All Hands on Waste Hotline: 041 506 5412/3 or visit www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za.

Photos:

1. All Hands on Waste Facilitators interacting with commuters and taxi drivers about speaking about the importance of recycling.
2. All Hands on Waste Facilitators making it fun for learners to learn about recycling
3. Executive Director of Public Health, Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni engaging with learners about the importance of recycling.
4. Executive Director of Public Health, Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni and Councillor Mapu engaging with learners about the importance of recycling

By Brian Fleming