Ratepaying resident says she’s gone months without receiving blue bags
Glenwood resident Desiree Balkisson says she has not received blue refuse bags for a year despite paying for the service.
BEREA residents are at their wit’s end after going months without receiving blue refuse bags. Glenwood resident Desiree Balkisson says she has not received blue refuse bags for a year, despite paying for the service.
“We, as residents, have resorted to using black refuse bags to throw away our garden refuse, hoping that it will be taken, but the black bags with garden refuse are not collected, and as a result, we have a pile-up of black bags on our street, and now, other people are dumping there, as well,” said Balkisson.
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Balkisson, who lives in a block of flats in Glenwood, says she is one of the many residents who pays for blue refuse bags monthly. “The entire block pays to have these bags delivered to us, but for an entire year, we haven’t received any bags. Our foliage is mounting, and if we want to dispose of it, then we are going to have to get contractors to move that for us. When I made enquiries to the municipality, I was asked to submit proof that we are paying for these bags, and I received no reply after that.”
Balkisson says she has taken it upon herself to purchase blue bags for her garden refuse. “When I purchase other refuse bags and our caretaker puts our foliage into those bags, they are not collected by the municipality because they do not have the CSW logo on them. We, as a community, are at a complete loss as to where we should go and what we should do.”
eThekwini Municipality responds
According to the eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, blue bags are designated for garden refuse, and this service is offered as a convenient alternative to residents, whereby garden refuse can be collected together with domestic refuse (black bags).
“Blue bags can be purchased from selected retail outlets or by signing a contract for the supply and delivery of blue through the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit (CSW). The bags are only supplied to households with a contract. Residents can dispose of a bakkie load of garden refuse per week at no cost at the strategically located garden sites,” said Sisilana.
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Sisilana went on to say that bags are delivered to households with a contract for the supply and delivery of blue bags. “Durban residents can contact the CSW customer services line to sign a contract for the supply of blue bags. The telephone number is 031 311 18804 or you can email DSW@durban.gov.za,” said Sisilana.
To see where your nearest garden site is, visit: www.durban.gov.za.
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