Ekurhuleni hit by waste removal backlog again

While residents are still celebrating the fact that the Ekurleni metro now boasts 36 new vehicles to help it clear the waste backlog, the metro recently announced that it is again experiencing a rubbish collection backlog.

ALSO READ: City adds trucks to its fleet to resolve waste removal backlog

According to the metro, this time the collection services hit a snag after the closure of crucial landfill sites.

“The City of Ekurhuleni understands our customers are experiencing challenges with waste removal services and we apologise.

“We are working to address this issue, which is compounded by the closure of multiple landfill sites,” explained the metro’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini.

ALSO READ: CoE resolves waste removal backlog

He said the metro is engaging with stakeholders to expedite the reopening of these sites.

However, in the meantime, the city is working toward clearing mini dumpsites and transfer stations to alleviate the pressure on the only operational landfill site, Platkop.

“We have advanced plans to fast-track the reopening of the affected facilities to attend to the city-wide waste removal backlog over the weekend,” said the MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, Brandon Pretorius.

The metro had hoped the Rooikraal landfill site would start operating at a limited capacity to ease the pressure on Platkop. However, the site remains closed.

ALSO READ: Refuse collection and the role of waste pickers

Collections hold-up

Residents across the city were recently hit by weeks of refuse collection hold-ups because the solid waste management system had collapsed.

A task team was established to help turn things around in the department, and eliminate the backlog in the region, while the HoD was placed on leave to let the task team sort out the waste debacle.

Among the measures taken to boost the department, the council approved a plant hire tender that saw the department receive 36 vehicles to reach its maximum fleet capacity.

ALSO READ: Contact list for solid waste queries and complaints

The city now boasts at least 58 trucks that service the metro.

“We experienced a challenge with waste removal with trucks breaking down. The city managed to buy new trucks, but we need to get to a stage where everything is back to normal.

“What we have is a tender that allows us to rent trucks as and when we need them to provide efficient service delivery,” said Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell.

Meanwhile, Pretorius said it was important for the city to replace its internal fleet as soon as possible and only use the plant hire tender when necessary.

“The city’s ultimate goal is to stabilise the rotational collection of waste in all parts of Ekurhuleni,” said Pretorius.
Adjustment budget

ALSO READ: Humphreys urges residents to recycle waste

With the recently approved adjustment budget, the city promised to ensure the efficient delivery of services.

“With the passing of this adjustment budget, we are in a position to purchase waste compactors to replace our ageing in-house fleet,” said the MMC for Finance, Economic Development and Information Communication, Fanyana Nkosi.

Also follow us on: