CCT MEDIA RELEASE: What residents need to know about delays in refuse collection and area cleansing services
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
9 FEBRUARY 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
What residents need to know about delays in refuse collection and area cleansing services
Residents are reminded that the City of Cape Town is currently experiencing delays in the repairs and maintenance of Solid Waste vehicles. This is unfortunately resulting in delays in both formal refuse collection in wheelie bins and area cleansing services across the metropole. Every effort however is being made to ensure that these services return to its normal schedule. Read more below:
The City is continuing to focus its efforts on restoring the collections and cleansing services to its normal schedule while following due legislative process related to the repairs and maintenance of vehicles.
Solid Waste vehicles follow an intensive servicing programme due to the high demand on the service, which clears approximately 200 000 bins per day.
‘Wherever possible, the City is carrying out vehicle repairs in-house, and the functional fleet is being stretched. However, Solid Waste trucks, also known as compactors, are specialist vehicles, so its maintenance and repairs need to be referred to vendors as the City does not have the in-house capacity or resources for this work. Every effort is being made to expedite these processes, where possible, so that the repairs and maintenance can take place as soon as possible. This includes Supply Chain Management appointing temporary additional capacity to assist with the processing of purchase orders. Eight new compactors have not been delivered, as we receive these from overseas and lockdown has caused delays as well. Much work is being done to improve processes.
‘The Solid Waste Department has mobilised resources from all over the city to address these delays and are fully committed to restoring services to normal in the fastest possible time. The team has set ambitious targets and hopes the situation will improve by the end of February where residents should start noticing an improvement.
‘We want to thank our refuse collection crews who have been working tirelessly, including weekends, where necessary, to ensure that bins are being serviced and area cleansing services continue.
‘We also want to thank our residents for their patience and understanding during this time. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience that may be caused,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
What to do when there are refuse collection delays during this period
Every effort is being made to ensure that refuse is collected on the scheduled day, however should this not be possible, residents should take their bins in at 21:00, and bring them out again the following morning at 06:00.
If not collected on the scheduled day, it will generally be collected the following day. In exceptional cases where even this is not possible due to various issues, residents should please bring their bins out every day until it is collected (including Saturdays and Sundays).
This should be repeated until the refuse is removed. If your bin is not out when the vehicle is in the area, it will unfortunately not be serviced.
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience that may be caused.
Residents are reminded of the following:
· Please do not resort to illegal dumping if collection delays cause refuse to build up to the point where it cannot fit in the wheelie bins.
· Where possible, practice home composting. This will allow further space in the bin during this period. Visit http://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Cleaning-and-recycling/home-composting-programme on how to do home composting.
· Please consider separating your recyclables – glass, paper, cardboard and plastic, etc- which can be taken to one of the City’s drop-off facilities.
What to do when bins are stolen
Stolen bins are replaced free of charge.
Residents need to submit the following to the City:
· Affidavit signed by a commissioner of oaths or SAPS
· Their account number, address, contact details
Submissions can be done:
· in person at a Walk-in centre or cash office or housing office
· Emailed Wastewise@capetown.gov.za
More information is available here: http://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/solid-waste/Apply-for-a-new-wheelie-bin-for-domestic-properties
Logging service requests:
Residents are encouraged to submit service requests for Solid Waste Management using the following channels:
· General Call Center: 0860 103 089
· Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests/
· Email: Wastewise@capetown.gov.za
Residents should please always remember to take note of the reference number provided.
For more information on City services, including revenue offices, please visit this link.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Note to broadcasters – an audio clip is available for download: https://bit.ly/3a4w6GiMedia enquiries: Alderman Xanthea Limberg, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1299 or Cell: 073 271 2054, Email: Xanthea.Limberg@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za)
