How to replace your broken municipal waste bin

Some residents have voiced confusion over what steps to take when their municipal waste bins are damaged or broken.

According to the CoE, residents must take their broken wheelie bin to the nearest solid waste depot with these documents:

• A copy of their ID.

Residents can take their broken bins to the Alberton Waste Depot on Swartkoppies Road, under the Department of Waste Management.

Understanding your 240l wheelie bin

The city provides a 240l wheelie bin for each property, with refuse collected according to the waste calendar.
General household waste that cannot be recycled should go in this bin.

These include:

• Polystyrene and polythene;

• Carrier bags;

• Tissues, napkins and kitchen towels;

• Nappies, cat litter, animal faeces and bedding;

• Soiled fast food containers and pizza boxes;

• Oil or fat from food preparation or cooking;

• Cigarette butts;

• Broken crockery and glass;

• Cotton wool and buds;

• The contents of your vacuum cleaner;

• Crisp and sweet wrappers (most are non-recyclable metallised plastic).

Advantages of using a 240l wheelie bin:

• They help the city meet waste collection standards;

• They provide adequate storage for a growing population;

• They have a longer lifespan (about eight years) compared to plastic bags;

• They prevent rodents and dogs from tearing the refuse;

• Durable, easy to clean and hygienic;

• They reduce risks to waste employees from dangerous or sharp items;

• The material is pest-repellent and impermeable to flies;

• They reduce the need for plastic bags and limit illegal dumping;

• They support safer, more efficient refuse collection;

• They allow for the inclusion of more women in waste services;

• They comply better with the Occupational Health and Safety Act;

• They are designed to fit the city’s bin-lifting mechanism on collection trucks.

What if my wheelie bin was stolen?

• Report the theft and make an affidavit at your nearest police station;

• Take the affidavit, your ID and a copy of your municipal account to your nearest waste depot;

• The depot will assess your application and issue a replacement bin.