09 Oct 2015

South East District landfill manager, Mr Mothusi Molefe says their dumpsite is so clean, one can have lunch at the site without complaining. The landfill is not only clean, it is also well organised despite handling large quantities of all types of waste.

The waste management site, which was officially opened in 2005 for the proper disposal of waste for South East District residents, is a delight to visit.

With a life expectancy of 25 years, it currently has 11 employees, four security guards and 13 waste sorters. The landfill disposes general waste from households, building rubble, tyres, clinical waste, garden waste, used oils and scrap metal. On a daily, the amount of waste received by the landfill ranges from 14 000kg to 84 000kg. According to Mr Molefe, the landfill does not put a limit on the amount of waste an individual or company can deliver at the landfill as they charge per ton. 

He said the charge varies for every type of waste. Taking BOPA through the waste disposal process, Mr Molefe said a vehicle goes through a security check and registration at the main gate. It is then driven to a weighing bridge to verify the type of waste and charge the client accordingly.

“General waste is charged P40/ton,” he said. This type of waste includes kitchen waste, boxes, plastic bags and others. 

Garden waste, which is mainly tree leaves or cut down trees, is P60/ton. Charges for other types of waste are available. When the vehicle delivering the waste reaches the disposal area, sorters categorise it.

Mr Molefe also noted that the district council works with various companies and individuals who recycle waste. He said the Collect-a-Can Company collects some cans from them. 

He said they also work with some companies that recycle used oil and convert it to diesel.

Waste recycling is expected to aid in extending the life expectancy of the landfill. Waste is compacted and covered with soil while clinical waste is incinerated. 

The landfill is also sprayed with water to suppress dust. The entire disposal area base is lined with a thick plastic to prevent contamination of underground water. He added that no chemicals are used at the landfill when disposing waste. 

The landfill recently won first prize at a landfill competition held in Selebi Phikwe. 

Mr Molefe said the landfill adheres to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

He said employees of the landfill attend regular training which include First Aid training conducted by the Red Cross. Employees of the landfill also receive Hepatitis B vaccine and are required to go through a medical check-up annually.  He said his workforce is dedicated and motivated to excel which explains the desirable state of the facility.

He said they regularly update records of machinery performance, accidents, financials and borehole water. 

Like any other department, the landfill faces challenges such as understaffing. He said ever since the Gaborone City Council landfill closed down, more residents and companies from the city have resorted to disposing their waste at the landfill.

Mr Molefe said this has resulted in them disposing more waste than anticipated. This challenge also forces employees to put in twice as much effort in summer as waste disintegrates faster due to high temperatures. 

According to Mr Tebogo Baraedi, a driver of the waste compactor machine at the landfill, lack of adequate equipment is a challenge.  He said unlike the Molepolole landfill, the SEDC landfill has only one compactor machine. He said their loading truck and caterpillar broke down some time ago. He said that it now takes a long time to get the work done. Ends