Drakenstein Municipality said the delays in refuse collection since late last year were mainly due to unexpected breakdowns in its 17 refuse trucks’ compactors that are caused by residents disposing of non-household items such as garden refuse, tree branches and building rubble in their wheelie bins.
Several areas within the municipality have been experiencing a delay in refuse collection since September last year.
The delays have led to a great deal of confusion, but at the same time put a strain on municipal refuse collectors who had to work into the night.
Some residents even raised concerns about their wheeliebins possibly being stolen, after the municipality requested that bins be left on their kerbside in light of the delay.
“Please be assured that we are making every effort to empty all bins on the scheduled collection day,” a recent Facebook notice by the municipality reads. “Wherever delays occur we ask residents to keep their bins out on the kerbside.”
Residents disputed the municipality’s having enough refuse-collection trucks and personnel to service all municipal areas on schedules dates.
Responding to Paarl Post’s enquiry last week, Louis Pienaar, Executive Director for Engineering Services, confirmed the municipality currently had 17 refuse collection trucks used for wheelie-bin collection.
He couldn’t clarify how many of these trucks are in working condition.
According to Pienaar the delay in refuse collection over the past week can be attributed to a combination of factors commonly experienced during the festive period.
This includes the unexpected breakdowns of municipal compactors, the closure of businesses essential for repairing the refuse compactors and the unavailability of back-up suppliers of compactors.
“Our compactors break down mainly due to residents disposing of non-household items such as garden refuse, tree branches, and building rubble in their wheelie bins.
“These items damage our refuse trucks, especially their hydraulic systems. We therefore urge residents to refrain from doing so.”
He said although refuse collection services were “somewhat delayed last week” the service is normalising as businesses and service providers resume operations.
“Despite the slight delays all bins were emptied on the scheduled collection days. Residents and businesses do not have to make alternative arrangements for refuse removal, as the service will proceed as outlined above.”
Pienaar said should residents or businesses wish to dispose of additional waste they may do so at the Wellington Landfill Site or Paarl Transfer Station in Distillery Road.
Meanwhile, the installation of RFID sensors on municipal waste bins is in full swing.
Paarl Post recently reported that the municipality aims to fit refuse compactors with “radio frequency identification devices” (RFIDs).
This technology allows the municipality to monitor and track the movement of refuse and optimise collection routes.
According to Pienaar the RFID technology, among others, helps identify whether a refuse bin was collected or not and what weight the bin holds.
- He said refuse bins that are missed on the scheduled collection day can be reported via the municipality’s toll-free number 080 131 3553, after which it will ensure the collection of the waste on the following day.
