George Municipality Intensifies Clean-Up Efforts During “Illegal Dumping Month”

In the photo from left: Hadley Booysen (Peer Educator), Monica Mnyamana (Coordinator), Shafika Biel (EPWP – General Worker), Karin Stoffels (Project Co-Ordinator: Street Cleansing), Councillor Marchell Kleynhans (MMC for Parks, Refuse and Environmental Services), Henrico Gertze (EPWP General Worker and the Garden Route District Municipality’s mascot, Rocky, the Recycling Rooster), Alfonso Delarey (EPWP General Worker), Anelisa Yani (Environmental Health Practitioner), Louw-Anne Lourens (EPWP General Worker), Rivaldo Roelfse (Peer Educator) and Ceavan Booi (Peer Educator).

The George Municipality’s Cleaning Teams continue their dedicated efforts to maintain cleanliness across all wards by picking up litter, sweeping streets, and educating the public. February has been declared Illegal Dumping Month, with a special focus on eradicating illegal waste disposal.

Director of Community Services, Mr. Dawie Adonis, confirmed that cleaning teams have been deployed across George to clean various areas. “From 3 to 7 February 2025, our teams collected a total of 5,471 brown bags of refuse across multiple areas,” said Adonis. “Additionally, we transported and disposed of 3728 cubes of illegally dumped waste at the Gwaing Landfill Site during this period,” said Adonis.

“We covered Pacaltsdorp, Rosedale, Heatherlands, Groene Weide Park, Lawaaikamp, Borchards, Conville, Protea Park, Lavalia, Rosemoor, Kleinkrantz, Touwsranten, Wilderness, Wilderness Heights, Thembalethu, the Garden Route Mall routes, Saasveld Road, CBD, Bo-Dorp, the Garden Route Dam, and the Industrial Area,” Adonis added.

Ongoing Cleaning Operations

In addition to routine street-cleaning efforts, municipal teams have undertaken various operations to enhance public spaces and combat illegal dumping:
• Street sweeping & litter collection – Roads in the CBD were cleaned over the weekends, with continued cleansing efforts in residential areas and key public spaces.
• Dumpsite rehabilitation – Soil backfilling was carried out at identified dumping sites, along with beautification projects to discourage future dumping.
• Roadside maintenance – Entrances and exits to George were cleaned, and regular maintenance was conducted along the N2.
• Community spaces & beach cleaning – Litter was collected in parks and open spaces, public ablution blocks were cleaned, and coastal areas were maintained.

MMC for Parks, Refuse, and Environmental Services, Cllr Marcell Kleynhans, emphasized the importance of community involvement. “Illegal dumping is not just an eyesore—it poses serious health risks to our communities. While the municipality continues to clear recurring dumping sites, we also urge residents to take responsibility and help maintain a cleaner environment,” said Kleynhans.

As part of the ongoing awareness campaign on illegal dumping, the Garden Route District Municipality’s mascot, Rocky the Recycling Rooster, made special appearances at illegal dumping hotspots. His presence helped to engage residents, especially children, in conversations about responsible waste disposal and the importance of recycling.

Report Illegal Dumping

Residents can play a crucial role in combating illegal dumping by ensuring waste is disposed of correctly.
• Household waste should be properly bagged and placed out for collection on designated waste removal days.
• Builders’ rubble and bulk waste should be taken to the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road).
• Report illegal dumping to the Community Services Directorate at 044 802 2900 (for site clearance).
• For law enforcement assistance, call 044 801 6350 or email sprins@george.gov.za.

If you have information on illegal dumping—including names, vehicle registration details, or addresses—and are willing to make a statement, this will greatly assist enforcement efforts. A photograph is not required but will strengthen the case. Together, we can keep George clean!