EMM: Wheelie bin system approved by council
The Herald has received comment from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), in response to claims by the Democratic Alliance, that the 240l Wheelie Bin System was hastily implemented and rolled out without approval from council (Residents trash municipality, January 23)
According to DA councillors Shauné le Roux and Gary Scallan, due processes were not followed and the Environmental Development Department failed to furnish the council with a policy document outlining its plans to roll out a new dustbin collection system.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe commented as follows: “The 240l roll-out plan has been presented to the Oversight Committee and the use of 240l receptacles is legislated through the National Standards for Waste Collection, by the Department of Environmental Affairs,” he said.
“Further to this, the roll-out plan forms part of the tariff policy of the EMM, which was approved by council in 2013/14 financial year, where the bin replacement policy is included.
“All areas where the roll-out of 240l bins was effected commenced with communication and consultation with the ward councillors, prior to distribution of the bins.
“Distribution of the bins is accompanied by an information leaflet which educates residents on the use of the bin.
“A communication is also placed in the local newspaper, alerting the community to the roll-out in specific suburbs.
“The department is currently working on reviewing some policies that are now obsolete, due to the promulgation of the Waste Act, 2008.
“With regard to the Integrated Waste Management Plan, the by-laws are currently in a draft stage.
“The department has an allocated budget for the current year, for the fitting of lifting mechanisms on specialised vehicles, to ensure that they are compatible to service the bins.
“This will run concurrently with the roll-out of the 240l bins programme and all trucks will be completed by the end of the financial year.
“There is a continuous communication and engagement with residents on the use of the bins, also highlighting the importance of the ‘polluter pays principle’, where any waste generator is liable to pay for the quantities of waste generated, thereby promoting recycling of such waste.”
