Sandton Central welcomes City of Joburg's separation-at-source strategy

Elaine Jack, city improvement district manager, Sandton Central Management District

“Sandton Central is home to what is arguably the continent’s biggest number of certified green buildings in a CBD, it’s an international example of eco-mobility, and it has three lovely green parks – it’s a world-class leading city that prioritises good environmental practices. To those who are already recycling, well done and thank you. The more we work together, the bigger our positive impacts,” says Elaine Jack, city improvement district manager of Sandton Central Management District.

Mandatory programme will be phased in

The mandatory separation-at-source programme will be phased in and the focus for phase one will be in areas where it has already started. Each home will receive a clear or blue plastic bag weekly, in which to place recyclables such as paper, plastic, metal (cans) and glass for collection. Multi-unit dwellings, like residential apartments and complexes, will receive recycling bags through their body corporates or chosen body (If you’re not receiving bags, call Joburg Connect on 0860562874). Recyclables are collected on the same day as refuse.

In areas where the separation-at-source programme is still not rolled out, residents are encouraged to take recyclables to the nearest garden site/drop-off centre.

“There are no penalties to enforce mandatory separation at source, but that’s not the point. It’s the responsible thing to do, and the environmental cost of not recycling is huge,” says Jack.