Residents urged to be responsible for garden waste disposal – CoE

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE)| no longer removes garden refuse.

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Residents of Birchleigh North Ext 3 said they were not informed about the change and expressed their frustration as garden waste piled up in their streets.

Allan Wallace said that he put grass cuttings into his bin as he usually did but waste collectors refused to take the bin stating that the city no longer collected garden waste or bins with garden waste.

“Most occupants of properties don’t have garden services and they do their own lawns and beds. In the end we have to pay extra to remove these bags because not everyone has a bakkie or trailer. The CoE just shrug their shoulders.

“We were told that we are no longer allowed to place black bags in the bin. The bags are checked and left on the sidewalk for the occupant to get rid of it.

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“Numerous requests for comment from the CoE have gone unanswered as the collection of refuse stood on the brink of complete collapse recently,” said Wallace.

According to numerous community members who contacted the Express, no one told them about the law implemented about collection of garden waste.

Ward 91 Clr Desmond McKenzie said that he has been in contact with various departments and they have promised to help the residents with garden waste.

“I have communicated with both the waste department and the contractor, however, I only received a response from the contractor and not from the department.

“The contractor requested a meeting but I was unable to attend due to a council meeting.

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“Residents will receive an update after the meeting with the contractor regarding garden waste.

“I have also looked at the Ekurhuleni by-laws, which allow for the collection of garden waste in chapter one and page six covers garden waste,” said McKenzie.

In addition, he said that residents have the responsibility to inform him of any issues of non-collection of waste.

According to training and recruitment manager for the city’s waste management services, Sbusiso Mashiyane, alternatives for garden waste removal was being sought.

“We need a strategic meeting with all stakeholders. Cooperation from residents will be appreciated and requested.

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“As a service provider we are engaging on feasible alternatives. We are working on a practical solution that will be on trial for a weeks,” said Mashiyane.

The department urged residents to use designed sites or what is referred to currently as integrated waste management facilities to dispose of their garden waste.

“Residents in Kempton Park can dispose of garden refuse at either the Norkem or Highveld transfer stations,” said waste operations officer, Maria Kekana .

“Garden refuse is not supposed to be collected like domestic refuse because there are solid waste by-laws to be adhered to,” she added.

“According to waste removal open by-laws, the owner or occupier of a premises on which garden or bulk refuse is generated shall ensure that such refuse is disposed of in within a reasonable time provided that garden refuse may be retained on the premises in an approved manner for the making of compost if it will not cause a nuisance.”

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She further explained that the only refuse to be put in a 240l bin, is the domestic refuse.

The Express sent an enquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni regarding the non-collection of garden waste on March 30.

Later that same day Wallace confirmed that his garden waste had been collected.

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