What if our event is to be held on private property?

The Bylaw applies to any sporting, entertainment, cultural or religious event that is to take place on private or public property, including sports stadia and conference centres.

Who will arrange the clean up?

The responsibility is placed squarely on the shoulders of the organisation or management of the event.

Who must we talk to at City?

To the Waste Management Officer.
The organisers of public events must submit an integrated waste management plan for the storage, collection, recycling and disposal of waste during and after the event at least five working days before the event.
The integrated waste management plan must include detailed costing information. A refundable deposit will be required.
An accredited service provider must be contracted to transport the event waste to a licensed waste disposal facility and must provide proof of this to the City.

Can we use glass containers?

If the event is to be held in a public area, the use, sale or distribution of glass or similar containers is prohibited.
The waste management officer can give prior consent provided adequate provisions are in place to reduce the likelihood of injury from broken glass.

Who will clean up after 2010 and other big events?

The final and ultimate responsibility rests with the City Council. However the new Bylaw details specific provisions that assign responsibility in such a way as to minimise the cost to the Council, and thereby reducing the budgetary load on the ratepayers, and improving the quality of life of all residents.

Anyone planning an event at which waste will be generated must lodge a special integrated waste management plan with the City council. The plan will detail the likely costs and a deposit will be required. A contract with an accredited service provider is essential. The Waste Management Officer is authorised to carry out or complete the clean up at the organisers cost if necessary.

Event organisers are urged to study the Bylaw regulations.

What happens if event organisers don’t obey the Bylaw?

Should the owners and organisers fail or neglect to provide the City with an integrated waste management plan or fail to secure the services of an accredited service provider prior to the event, the Waste Management Officer may arrange for the collection, clean up, recycling and disposal of the waste.
Similarly if any waste is left at the area where the event was held or the surrounding area as a result of the event, the Waste Management Officer may also make the necessary arrangements.
All the costs for the disposal of the waste are payable by the event organiser and will be deducted from the deposit lodged or recovered from the organisers.

How does the Waste Management Officer assess and document waste offences?

The Waste Management Officer may call (in writing) for a report in respect of the impact of waste in a specified form as stipulated in the City’s guidelines.
If the report is not submitted within the period specified, the Waste Management Officer may appoint an independent person to compile the report and recover the related costs from the person required to submit it.
The Waste Management Officer may also call for an independent report if it is suspected that:
The person has previously contravened the Bylaw to the detriment of the environment, health or social conditions, the economy, the ecology or any cultural heritage.
Or if
The person has not complied with a license issued in terms of provincial or national legislation
The Waste Management Officer will then direct the person who failed to comply with the Bylaw to remedy the situation as recommended in the report.
If necessary the City will take the necessary action and the person who contravened the Bylaw is liable for all those costs as well.

What are the new fines and penalties?

Fines - R500 to R10 000
OR Imprisonment for 6 months to 2 years resulting in a criminal record.
OR Both a fine and imprisonment.

In addition, the court can also order that the offender must:

• Remove all the waste.
• Pay the costs of removing the waste.
  
• Pay any other costs or damages.
  
  

What if I cannot comply with the Waste Management Officer’s directives?

• If an integrated waste management plan is rejected or not submitted at all, the Waste Management Officer will give directives about the measures that must be to be taken and by when.
• If the waste generator still does not comply the City can carry out the necessary measures and recover the costs from the waste generator.