City to reopen the buffelsdraai landfill site
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Date: 2025-03-13 16:03:42

City to reopen the buffelsdraai landfill site

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 MARCH 2025
 
CITY TO REOPEN THE BUFFELSDRAAI LANDFILL SITE
 
EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba today, 13 March led a delegation to meet residents from Ward 59 regarding the planned reopening of the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site.
 
This follows extensive rehabilitation and safety improvement projects undertaken at the site after it was temporarily closed in July 2023.
 
The landfill site is set to officially reopen in two phases commencing on 1 April for garden refuse, builders’ rubble, and sand cover material. 
 
The second phase is planned for complete opening on 1 May for all other general waste which includes domestic waste.
 
Among the delegation accompanying Mayor Xaba was Inkosi uMqoqi Ngcobo, Chairperson of the Trading Services Committee Councillor Mduduzi Nkosi and Ward 59 Councillor Nkosiyezwe Mhlongo.
 
Speaking during the meeting, Mayor Xaba said the Municipality has established a separate sorting facility where re-claimers will operate from. 
 
He said the facility has undergone all the necessary statutory compliances and will initially be overseen by an independent operator who is required to manage the facility on sound fiscal principles. 
 
The facility is already 98 percent complete.
 
The Municipality has further prioritised support for a group of waste re-claimers that came forward for assistance. A facilitation team was commissioned to guide the re-claimers through a business planning process and capacity building.
 
“It is our hope that the model that has been developed for this area can be emulated and used in other communities to empower people living close to landfill sites,” said Mayor Xaba.
 
He said that developing recycling programmes not only keeps the environment clean but also opens avenues for generating an income for households.
 
Mayor Xaba said he is pleased that the City has found lasting solutions following the unfortunate incidents of arson and vandalism at the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site which disrupted operations.
 
While the landfill site has been refurbished and re-commissioned, food and any other consumable waste is still prohibited from the site for health reasons.
 
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.