KNYSNA NEWS - Phantom-Homtini Nature Conservancy’s mission to inform, share and take positive action to protect the long-term integrity and sustainability of the landscape, has once again been put into practice when members cleaned several areas along the Rheenendal road, in conjunction with the Rheenendal Litter Project.
The conservancy started doing regular roadside clean-ups in October last year.

"Litter is an unwelcoming sight when driving along the Rheenendal road," says Petra ten Velde, Phantom-Homtini Nature Conservancy secretary.

The litter alongside the road includes a variety of garbage such as beer bottles, soft drink cans, milk bottles and even toy cars and golf balls. Since the establishment of the Rheenendal Litter Project in May 2009, the Phantom-Homtini Nature Conservancy has been addressing this issue in a number of ways.

Six areas have been cleaned along the Rheenendal road, a project that also involved learners of Rheenendal Primary School in Keurhoek and a total of 35 garbage bags brimful of litter, were collected.

Although conservancy members enjoyed the combined efforts with the areas children, it was a great responsibility to look after the youngsters’ safety next to a long stretch of road where some drivers often speed.
"Any future clean-ups involving youths will be organised differently and probably limited to Keurhoek and the area from Keurhoek to Totties Post office," says ten Velde.

It is believed that much of the waste collected along the road originated from commuters who wait for taxis, as well as those who throw empty packets and cans out of the vehicle windows. As a result numerous discussions took place between conservancy representatives and John Jaftha, manager of Knysna’s Waste Management Department, to ensure that taxi drivers and commuters become aware of how disgusting littering is.
A total of 17 garbage bins will be erected along the road in areas where people are known to wait for taxis, including at the Portland Mini Market as well as at the Keurhoek taxi rank and library.

As part of the conservancy’s ongoing efforts, discussions took place with the taxi drivers and owners of Keurhoek to look at ways of diminishing the need for residents and commuters to throw their garbage out of windows.
As a result taxi owners and drivers have agreed to place bin bags inside the taxis for passengers to dispose of their garbage, and that stickers will alert passengers to use the bags.

The conservancy agreed to provide the bin bags through sponsorship from its members, while Jaftha’s department agreed to print the stickers and would at a later stage get involved with the sponsorship of the bags.
Community development officer, Eunice Lodewyk helped with the distribution of bin bags.
The conservancy has been keeping regular check of the roadside and is maintaining communication with taxi drivers to monitor the efficiency of the project. Ten Velde reports that veld fires earlier this year revealed the dramatic amount of glass litter strewn alongside the road.
The glass was previously hidden in grass and vegetation.

"Not only does glass pose a serious fire threat, especially during hot, dry drought conditions, it’s also dangerous to both residents and animals walking in the area," says Ten Velde.
"Let’s hope this is a break through! On behalf of all the conservancy’s members we would like to extend our appreciation to John Jaftha, the municipality and the Keurhoek community for their input and participation in helping to keep Rheenendal clean," concludes Ten Velde.


Phantom-Homtini Nature Conservancy members collected 35 bags of litter along the Rheenendal roadside, as part of the Rheenendal Litter Project.