What is being done about littering and dumping?

The new Bylaw sets fines between R500 and R10 000. It also calls for criminal sentences of 6 months to 2 years for certain offenders. In serious cases both fines and prison sentences can be handed down.

The new Bylaw also broadens the responsibility of ensuring that contractors dispose of waste lawfully.

The City seeks a collaborative approach to solving this problem. Cleaning up litter and illegal dumping are the two biggest waste removal costs, all of which are paid for by the ratepayers.

What constitutes littering? Even a matchstick or apple core?

Litter is defined as any waste produced in public areas that is not disposed of in public litter containers.

It is illegal to drop, throw, deposit, spill, dump, store, discard, or otherwise dispose of any litter or waste into or onto any public place or on any place to which the public has access.
This includes municipal drains, vacant property, open land, streets, roads, wetlands and the coastline.

Nor may they allow a person under their control to do so. This includes children and employees.
If no litter bin is nearby, keep your waste with you until one available, or take it home and put it in your bin.

Who must provide and service litter containers?

The City provides bins and services in public areas.

Who catches the litterbugs?

They are caught by law-enforcement officers.
Residents are encouraged to report littering and dumping. The offenders cost everyone a lot of money every year.

What about litter on private land?

Even the owners, controllers and rightful occupants of private property may not dump or allow dumping on their land or premises.
They must also take reasonable steps to prevent the use of the land or premises for that purpose.

What are the new fines for littering?

Admission of guilt fines:

For littering and dumping and for spillage of uncovered or unsecured loads of less than 1 metre³, the fine is R500,00.

What about more serious offences?

Any conviction for any offence in terms of this Bylaw could result in a fine of up to R10 000,00 or imprisonment for 6 months to 2 years or both.