Wheelie bins will improve waste collection
By Tabisa Mntengwana
14 December 2009
A WHEELIE bin system is being introduced in Buffalo City to reduce the backlog in waste removal.
The system will first be rolled out to Sweetwaters, Duncan Village and Buffalo Flats, where it will replace the black bag system. The wheelie bins hold nearly three times as much refuse as the black bags: wheelie bins can take up to 240 litres, compared to black bags’ 85 litres.
“This may result in refuse collection taking place fortnightly rather than weekly as it is happening now,” said Yolisa Sinyanya, the project co-ordinator in the waste management department.
The Solid Waste Management Plan, approved by the council on Wednesday, 2 December, includes the introduction of wheelie bins and recycling at source. This will comprise three bags and will be introduced in Beacon Bay. One bag will be used for collecting general waste; the two other bags will be used for paper and cardboard, and glass.
“[At the moment,] Buffalo City is using the black bag refuse collection system, which requires that each household place their full bags at the roadside for collection,” reads the council report on the plan.
“The wheelie bins will be introduced as a pilot project in a few areas of Buffalo City. Other areas will follow as the project flourishes,” added Sinyanya.
According to the report, the key objectives of the plan are to reduce illegal dumping, improve service delivery and improve public awareness of waste management.
In the future, the waste management department plans to introduce a customer care service centre. “The response unit will deal with emergency complaints and backups to refuse collection vehicles.”
In addition, the low capacity vehicles used in King William’s Town will be replaced with four new high capacity compactors by the end of April 2010.
The majority of general waste is collected daily and transported to municipal landfill sites.
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