BERUDEP choose to use responsible tourism as a means to bring income to the local population of Belo and surrounds. Tourism however naturally increases the amount of refuse being created. Instead of this being a disadvantage to the local community BERUDEP believes it provides an opportunity to create an effective refuse system that will reduce and improve the current pollution being created by locals through the lack of any current system.

Still in progress the Belo rufuse collection and disposal project consists of the following:

• A workforce of 2+ workers be employed by Belo council to collect non-biodegradable waste from residences in the Belo area to be taken for either landfill or recycling
• An area be made available for waste management and landfill
• A collection of non biodegradable refuse from the streets and roadside in Belo area
• A management plan be implemented for safe disposal and recycling of all types of waste
• Public bins be placed in urban areas for non biodegradable waste
• Public awareness of the damage to the environment and long term effects of dumping/burning non biodegradable waste
• That Belo is used as a model example to other councils on responsible waste management

The implications of maintaining the status quo in not having a responsible waste management program in Belo would incur the following situations in the short and long term:

• serious damage to the natural environment
• poor farming in years to come as the plastics and non biodegradable waste sits in the soil
• polluted rivers and streams endangering water supplies
• a devastating effect on the tourism market in future years
• an eyesore to all the rural population who have to live in a rubbish dump
• damage to livestock and wildlife
• damage to our children’s futures
• The cost to the council for this waste management project will depend on the level of seriousness they take in recycling, public awareness, man power and the area covered.

These are just the bare essentials for a very basic waste management system, however the project can be as big as a council sees fit.  Bigger projects could include:

• More manpower to cover a larger area and provide a better service
• Another horse and cart to be more effective and be more flexible
• A vehicle to be more effective and flexible
• A waste separation system to recycle different types of waste
• Recycling systems for compost, glass, metal, textiles and paper
• A JCB digger/bulldozer for effective landfill
• Comprehensive public education/outreach program on all of the above

If you are interested in the Belo refuse collection and disposal project, contact us today for more information.