Replacing wheelie bins is a huge cost to Ekurhuleni – DA says

The DA is concerned about the CoE implementing wheelie bins in its customer care centres (CCC).

The bin roll-out has had several challenges, ranging from the unavailability of bins to the bureaucratic hurdles of obtaining one.

In addition, despite residents’ efforts to protect their bins, several have complained about them being destroyed or stolen.

Many complaints indicate that refuse workers are often responsible for the damage, with reports of bins being carelessly thrown about instead of handled carefully.

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This behaviour inconveniences residents and shows a lack of regard for the CoE’s property from its employees.

“In response to questions posed to the MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, Leshaka Manamela, the following statistics were revealed.

“In the past three years, 29 525 bins were replaced due to theft across all Customer Care Centres, with 5 795 of these from the Northern region alone,” said DA Clr Tracey Lourenco.

“The cost of replacing stolen bins is R14 536 369. Additionally, 11 824 bins had to be replaced due to damage, costing the city R5 902 076. While the MMC and department claim that most breakages are not due to staff negligence, residents’ lived experience tells a different story.

“Many residents have provided clear evidence that some workers mishandle bins, leading to unnecessary damage.

“When bins are destroyed through abuse, the cost of replacement falls on the shoulders of residents, regardless of an affidavit from the SAPS attesting to the fact that it was not them who damaged it,” said Lourenco.

“It is crucial that staff receive proper training to handle bins correctly to prevent continued breakages.

Furthermore, those found deliberately damaging CoE property must be held accountable. The city must take urgent action to address these issues and ensure waste management services are done with the professionalism and efficiency that residents deserve,” said Lourenco.

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CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini reminded all residential customers to use the 240L wheelie bins for domestic waste as is mandatory.

“The roll-out of these bins has been completed across the city, so all residential customers are expected to have 240L waste bins,” said Dlamini.

“When a customer generates waste that exceeds the 240L wheelie bin’s capacity in a week or a bin is broken, lost or stolen, they should visit their nearest waste management depot to apply for a new bin or an extra one,” said Dlamini.

“Additional waste bins result in an additional monthly charge aligning with the extra waste generated by a customer.

“The city repeats, after being inundated with queries, that waste collectors are prohibited from picking up additional refuse bags placed outside the 240L wheelie bins.

“The 240L wheelie bin can store domestic waste of up to three full refuse bags, equivalent to waste generated in seven days.

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The city strongly urges using 240L wheelie bins for a uniform service standard that translates to balancing billing with the service rendered.

“Apart from providing convenience and ease of handling domestic waste, the 240L bins minimise bag tearing because of rodents and stray dogs, thus providing a clean environment.

They also help protect officials from exposure to sharp and harmful objects usually found inside refuse bags.

“Additionally, residents should report any damaged bins to the nearest CCC,” said Dlamini.