The current refuse removal backlog is having its toll on the metro’s equipment.
The Highveld Road Transfer Station had to be closed on Tuesday for several hours after a breakdown.
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Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni said, “The City of Ekurhuleni’s Waste Management Services is currently experiencing humongous volumes of excess refuse generated from various households in the area that cannot be accommodated in a single 240-litre bin.
“This consequently led to the clogging of refuse at the Highveld Road Transfer Station that contributed to increased frequency of the cleansing facility’s bulk containers. This again led to the overheating of static compactor coils which burned out, resulting in the breakdown,” Gadebe said.
Waste dropped off by residents subsequently resulted in space available running out. It was only after the space had been filled that the facility was closed while awaiting repairs that were effected before noon.
A resident who arrived at the transfer station on Tuesday shortly after 8am found the gates locked, although the operating hours stated it should have been operational from 7am.
