EDITOR – This last week (April 20) I saw the dustbin cart collecting the refuse and saw how the bins are mistreated by some of the men who gather them up.
In Hurlyvale, while the men were collecting the bins together prior to the truck emptying them, I saw one of the men pushing the bin hard and then releasing it so that it skidded down the road on its two wheels and the bin base, rather than pushing it all the way on its two wheels.
After the bin was emptied, I looked at the underside and found that the rim had been completely worn away and a good part of the base.
If they continue with this practice they will destroy the base and the bin will need replacing.
As the bins are the property of the municipality, I can see that the municipality will be in for some considerable expense in the very near future if everyone else’s bin is treated in such a way.
Please train the collectors not to deliberately destroy the wheelie bins.
MIKE
EDENVALE
r Letter received April 20
EDITOR’S COMMENT – The spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Mr Themba Gadebe, commented as follows:
The EMM takes note of the reported unacceptable practice with regards to the handling of 240 litre bins by the employees while rendering residential and business refuse collection services.
It must be mentioned that the employees involved in rendering refuse collection services residential and business premises have been taken through the standard operating procedure regarding the handling of wheelie bins, including servicing of the same by using hydraulic lifting mechanisms of the refuse removal vehicle to avoid possible damages.
While the reported incident can be viewed as isolated, the fact that this unacceptable practise could be existing in other areas within Edenvale cannot be ruled out. Thus, measures to address this will be put in place.
In light of the above, the EMM will with immediate effect call upon the employees or crews who provide said services to once again take them through the correct procedures or methods of servicing wheelie bins and to also inform them of consequential actions to be taken, including costs of damages, should said standard operational procedure not be adhered to.
