By Nangamso Mabindla
23 February 2006

THE opening of a new R47-million regional waste disposal site in Berlin, Buffalo City, will address the problem of illegal dumping in the city.

"This project is very important for the people and the environment of Buffalo City," said Buffalo City mayor Sindisile Maclean, opening the site on Wednesday 22 February.

"Waste disposal is one of the most important functions in our municipality."

With the opening of the new site, 14 of the city's older waste disposal facilities will be gradually closed over the next 10 years, says city general manager for community services, Graeme Smith.

Illegal sites such as at Second Creek and NU2 in Mdantsane will also be closed. "These sites will be replaced by the city's regional waste disposal sites," Smith said.

The new site lies between the N2 to King William's Town and the R102 at Roundhill, Berlin. Located near railway sidings, it will allow businesses to transport waste by rail - although "this mode of transport will be initiated only when the quantity of waste to be disposed increases", Smith said.

The site will comply with the highest environmental standards. Maclean said it will function according to resolutions adopted by municipalities at the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development.

"We want to have a site that complies with international standards," he said.

According to Maclean, the site will allow the city to dispose of waste in a controlled way. "We want our people to live in a healthy and sustainable environment; they should benefit from this project."

He thanked all those involved for their help in setting up the project, including the provincial government, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, consultants Arcus Gibb, and the Nkqwonkqweni community.