How will wheelie bins handle garden waste?

Several residents have concerns about the impact the new wheelie bin system will have on refuse collection, especially that of garden refuse.

One such person was Tony Burgess, who had his letter published in last week’s City Times.

In winter he rakes together around 20 bags of leaves a week at his Western Extension home.

“I can only get four bags into a wheelie bin, which includes two bags from the household refuse,” he said.

Since the metro said a monthly fee will be charged for each 240l receptacle and that waste not placed in a bin won’t be collected, Burgess queried the cost of acquiring more bins.

His concerns were shared by Farrarmere resident Rob Carlisle.

Carlisle said he has two wheelie bins, but said this won’t be sufficient, especially in autumn.

“We are paying for a service, which in essence, is not happening,” he said.

Carlisle added that it should not be his responsibility to take excess refuse to the dump site on Hospital Road, although he’d be able to.

The metro is yet to confirm when they will stop collecting refuse that is not placed in wheelie bins, but Ward 23 councillor André du Plessis said it should be June 1.

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) spokesperson Themba Gadebe said those who do not have enough bins must make alternative plans.

“In case you have more bags for collection and your bins are not enough, you may take your garden refuse bags to a garden refuse facility, it is free of charge.” Gadebe also said waste that is not in an Ekurhuleni bin won’t be collected.

“Unmarked bins will not be picked up because the municipality is not billing the residents for them,” said Gadebe.