This directorate consists of: Arts & Cultural Services, Amenities and Environmental Services and Solid Waste Management Services and the Integrated Environmental Management Unit (IEMP).

Manager : IEMP
Mrs Shirley Fergus

It is responsible for the provision of recreational and sporting facilities, arts and cultural facilities, cleansing services and environmental services that are sustainable, accessible and affordable to all communities within Buffalo City, within the framework of legal standards and regulations.

The Directorate has five divisions:

• Environmental Services
• Arts and cultural services
• Amenities
• Solid Waste Management Services
• Integrated Environmental Management Unit

DEPARTMENT : ARTS & CULTURAL SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

It is responsible for the provision of recreational and sporting facilities, arts and cultural facilities, and environmental services that are sustainable, accessible and affordable to all communities within Buffalo City, within the framework of legal standards and regulations.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
The key functions of this division include:

Public open spaces
Maintenance and hiring of public open space for community functions.

Vegetation control
Maintenance of street trees, bush clearing and eradication of alien plants and noxious weeds.

Playgrounds and parks
Development and maintenance of playgrounds and parks for recreational purposes.

Nature reserve
Bird sanctuary situated in Gonubie, home to a variety of 150 bird types.

Nursery
Two commercial nurseries situated at James Pearce Park and Duncan Village.

Cemeteries and crematoria
There are 29 formal and 90 informal cemeteries with one crematorium. Read more about Interments.

Arts and cultural services
The key functions of this division include:

Libraries
There are 17 libraries with two mobile libraries. Services offered include lending of books, CDs, records, videos, tape aids for the blind. Libraries host holiday programmes, video shows, Friends of the Library talks.

Click here for a full list of libraries, including address, telephone number and opening hours.

Heritage promotion

• Art Gallery: The Ann Bryant Gallery hosts exhibitions of local and national artists, including video shows.
• Art Centres: While the centres in Mdantsane and Gompo are currently not in operation, they would offer dancing, arts and crafts, painting and music.

Halls
There are 33 halls situated in urban areas and 59 halls situated in rural areas. These are used for community events, non-profit events, sports clubs, political rallies, church services and ward meetings.

AMENITIES
Acting Programme Manager : Mr A. Ralo

The key functions of this division include: Zoo
Situated in 45 hectares of indigenous coastal forest, the zoo is home to more than 70 different species of animals.
Visit the East London Zoo's website

Marine and coastal management services
68 km of coastline which includes 10 estuaries, conservancies, national heritage sites, rocky shores and 14 sandy beaches.
Visit the East London aquarium's website www.elaquarium.co.za

Nahoon Point Nature Reserve : Footprint Building - Environmental Centre

A vision of the museum where human trace fossil footprints were found, hence the building is in the shape of a foot.

Swimming pools
There are four municipal swimming pools in Buffalo City. The Joan Harrison Pool in East London hosts many national sporting events.

Sports facilities
There are 36 municipal fields in Buffalo City that can accommodate sports including athletics, hockey, soccer, cricket, rugby, basketball, volleyball, tennis and netball.

Resorts
Gonubie Chalets and Caravan Park,and Nahoon Caravan Park attract many holiday makers throughout the year.
Click here to read more about the resort.

DEPARTMENT : SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The purpose of this department is to provide Solid Waste Management Services that are sustainable, accessible and affordable to all communities within Buffalo City, within the framework of legal standards and regulations. Number of available vehicles : 110.

The key functions of this Department include: Refuse removal/Collection
This work is undertaken by a compliment of +- 164 employees for and all the areas of Buffalo City.

An annual average of 470 000 tons of solid waste is generated/collected, which includes 30 000 tons of industrial waste.

Street sweeping
This work is undertaken by a compliment of +- 110 employees for CBD and all the areas of buffalo city.

Public conveniences
There are 157 toilet blocks situated throughout the municipality, including the CBDs, picnic areas, and informal settlements. This function is under taken by staff compliment of +- 59 employees.

Waste disposal and transfer stations
This work is undertaken by a compliment of +- 25 employees for all the Waste Sites of Buffalo City.

1. Second Creek
2. East London Regional Site
3. King William's Town Site
4. Riegers (privately owned)Stoney Drift
5. Orange Grove (IDZ)
6. Beacon Bay Transfer Station
7. Kidds Beach
8. Kaysers Beach

Waste Minimization Education and Planning
Staff compliment : 7 employees

• Establish recycling foru
• Education/Public awareness campaigns in schools and communities of Buffalo City on waste minimization (re-use, reduce and recycling of waste) and composting
• Formulate stakeholders in communities where solid waste issues are discussed
• Establishment of Buy Back centre
• 3100 tons recycled through BCM paper recyling.