NATIONAL NEWS - The rise in the amount of waste being generated by households due to an increase in the population and demand for food and other essentials is a great cause for concern.
 
Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) Senior Communications Officer, Herman Pieters, says not all waste gets collected and transported to the final waste dumping site and in some cases, is dumped on vacant municipal property.
 
"This causes environmental pollution, resulting in health disorders and problems in the surrounding environment," says Pieters.
 
He says unattended or organic domestic waste, waste pollution, illegal dumping of solid, agricultural or industrial waste and waste that poses a healthcare risk, all have dire and long-lasting effects on people. "Illegal solid waste dumping increases the risk of injury, outbreak of diseases and infections, cause cancer and could even lead to plague."
 
Pieters says preschool children, waste workers and workers at facilities producing toxic and infectious material, are especially vulnerable. Other high-risk groups include people living close to a waste dumping area and those whose water supply has become contaminated.
 
He says proper methods of waste disposal have to be undertaken both at household level and by those responsible for removing it.
 
"At household level, waste must be disposed of in refuse bins or plastic bags for municipal collection.
 
"Waste can be segregated for recycling purposes and it should be ensured that all organic matter is kept aside for composting, which is undoubtedly the best method for the correct disposal of organic waste," he stresses.
 
"If you see some trash on the ground around your neighborhood, don't assume someone else will take care of it. Be proactive in taking care of where you live."
 
For more information about municipal health, contact Eden DM's municipal health section on 044 803 1300.