Bottle recycling in Mhluzi ‘poses health risk’
Owners of glass bottle recycling businesses in Mhluzi have to choose between relocating their only means of survival or shutting down completely due to an increasing health risk that is ultimately bad for the entire neighbourhood where they live.
Some of these business owners have admitted that they have been warned by the Health Department at the Steve Tshwete Municipality just in the last week, and told that they have only until the end of this month to relocate their business to another premises or face the full mighty hands of the law.
Glass bottles collected in large bags, stored in high containers, and neatly piled up in the garden, completely surround at least three homes just in Thembisa, Mhluzi alone.
It’s an unsightly yet astonishing situation – and it has community members divided on the issue.
Many residents and motorists who use the road daily are frustrated and fed-up. They’ve had enough and eagerly await action from the municipality.
“There’s always broken glass on the street. Our cars drive on this road and our children are always outside. It’s dangerous for everybody. It’s just not practical,” said one neighbour of a house in Mokgabudi Street. He asked not to be named.
“We also have a rat infestation. I’m talking really big rats that have been seen lurking amongst all those bottles. We don’t know if its connected but people are really worried about the health risk”.
Community members say that they have approached council a number of times and have even spoken to ward councillors, and thus welcomed the news of the visit by the Health Department to the area.
“We hope this mess gets cleaned up by the end of this month. It’ll make everybody here happier”.
But just one look into the eyes of Nelly Maseko, and one begins to understand that this is actually a story about survival.
“My husband and I started this business about four years ago and we don’t have any other job. Whatever little money we make gets us through month to month,” said Ms Maseko.
Her home, situated along Ellen Nhlapo Street, is also used to collect and store glass bottles.
“I’ve been living here since 1981 and this is the only place we have. The Health Department wants me to move to Extension Two but I don’t know if that will work out. Either way, I have to be out of here before the end of this month”.
Ms Nhlapo said that she respects and would abide by the notice from the municipality, and at the same time was devastated regarding the future of her business and only means of income.
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