Pikitup’s inaugural event in honour of World Environment Day aims to make the most of waste to keep the environment safe and clean.
|||Johannesburg - It’s not just about “picking it up”. It’s about making the most of waste to keep the environment safe and clean.
This was according to Pikitup board member Bishop Dulton Adams during the waste management service’s inaugural event in honour of World Environment Day.
Thousands of volunteers traversed the city this morning cleaning up waste and educating residents about waste separation and recycling.
“We have to get people conscious and make them aware of the environment,” Adams said. “We need to make Joburg shine again.”
Adams said today marked the launch of two initiatives: Pikitup's Separation@Source door-to-door programme and the Monthly Friday Clean-Up Campaign.
After volunteers swept the city, Pikitup hosted a talk with Trish Hanekom, chairwoman of the Pikitup board of directors, about the state of cleanliness in the city.
Adams alluded to the nearly month-long strike of Pikitup employees earlier this year, which left Joburg streets piled high with waste.
“I think the strike in essence began to make us realise that if we don’t do what we’re supposed to do, we will have a massive challenge in terms of being overtaken by waste in our communities,” he said.
For Irene Mafune, today’s event was of local importance.
As the regional director of region F, where the event began at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, Mafune stressed that there should be a focus on environmental issues every day, not just once a year.
“The initiative is welcome and it’s long overdue,” she said. “There will be great impact if we can sustain it.”
Mafune said the region’s unique status as a transit hub - she estimates more than 2 million commuters pass through daily - means it’s more difficult to leave a lasting impression when it comes to environmental issues.
Councillor Tjitjila Mashao of the area’s ward 59 agreed, saying the ward was overpopulated. She said street traders in particular needed to be educated about waste removal, because they “produce far more waste than the average person”.
Adams said the thousands of volunteers included participants in the Jozi@Work job creation programme, Pikitup employees, University of Johannesburg students and pupils.
Volunteer Mtombikayise Makhubele, who has worked with Jozi@Work for over a year, said she participated to educate people about recycling, which she said was often overlooked.
“It’s extremely important for our health and safety to take care of our environment,” she said.
@OliviaExstrum
The Star