Bag the rubbish correctly, pleads Durban resident

ETHEKWINI Municipality has responded to a reader’s request to remind or educate people on the correct way to dispose of black and orange bags.

“Every week in my own neighbourhood and en route to other destinations, there is evidence that home occupants are putting out refuse and recycle bags that do not conform with the requirements of the DSW rules and are not being taken away,” said a highway resident who wished to remain anonymous.

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The resident added that this results in unsightly, smelly, fly-breeding piles on verges that should be a neat and attractive environment.

eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said for domestic refuse, people should use black bags.

“Black refuse bags are used for household/domestic refuse only. They are delivered to each residential property every three months and collected on weekly basis. We request residents to adhere to their collection days and take out their refuse in the morning of collection and be placed on the verge.”

He said orange bags are strictly for recycling. “Recyclables like newspapers, magazines, cardboard, plastics; plastic bottles are put into these bags. Orange bags are distributed once in three months to residential areas that are within the Kerbside recycling programme. Orange bags need to be put out on the same day as your domestic refuse bags for collection,” advised Mayisela.

For garden refuse, residents need to use blue bags. “Blue garden bags are supplied at a cost to homeowners, either on contract or can be purchased at selected retail stores, hardware and or selected service stations.

“The price of the bag include collection and disposal. People should note that bags other than the blue DSW bags containing garden refuse will not be collected,” Mayisela said.

Reduce the risk of maggots in rubbish bins

In the intense Durban heat and humidity, many are faced with the disgusting sight of maggots crawling around their kitchen waste bins.

You will only have a problem with maggots if flies can get to your waste. If flies settle on your rubbish they lay eggs which can hatch out as maggots within 24 hours.

Maggots are fly larvae, usually of the common housefly and also the bluebottle and are attracted to food and other rubbish.

To reduce the risk of maggots, make sure flies can’t get at your rubbish; wheelie bins are much better at keeping flies out than black bin bags.

Never leave food uncovered inside the home – this includes cat/dog food – as flies may lay eggs on exposed food.

Rinse polystyrene food trays and other food packaging that can’t be recycled before you put it in the bin, this will also reduce bad odours.

Squeeze out the air from bags and tie them tightly and double-wrap if necessary.

Any food scraps, pet waste, nappies should be double-wrapped. Place wet food waste in carefully wrapped in newspapers, kitchen paper or cardboard.

If possible, leave the bin out of direct sunshine.

Ensure the bin lid is closed.

Hang insecticide strips inside your bin to help control flies.

Remember, flies will also be attracted to recycling material if they aren’t clean, so make sure food cans, bottles and jars are rinsed.

Spray maggots already there with fly spray or pour over boiling water with a small amount of bleach

Once emptied, clean the bin with disinfectant or bleach.

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