City is making every effort to clear refuse backlog in Bellville and surrounding areas

15 May 2020

The City has contingencies in place to ensure that operations and service delivery continue as far as possible, while ensuring the health and safety of our staff during this time, as well as the health and safety of the public we serve.

We are aware of the current refuse collection backlog in areas that are serviced by the Bellville collections depot. A staff member at the depot tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the facility has been temporarily closed for deep cleaning and disinfecting. This includes disinfecting of vehicles. Those who have been in contact with the staff member have been placed in self-quarantine to monitor their symptoms.

Residents who live in the following affected areas are requested to put out their bins daily until 20:00 (including weekends) until their refuse is collected:

Contingencies are in place to collect the backlog as soon as possible. We apologise for the inconvenience.

During this time: 

•  Residents are requested to please bring their bins out by 06:30 in the morning, and leave them outside until 20:00 until collected. The City’s Solid Waste teams will continue to work on weekends to clear any backlog which still exists
• Excess refuse that cannot fit in the wheelie bins will also be collected until this problem is resolved. Residents are also implored not to resort to illegal dumping if collection delays cause refuse to build-up to the point where it cannot fit in the wheelie bins
• We ask that residents please practice social distancing and not approach staff members as they go about their duties

Bin care

•  Please wash and disinfect your wheelie bin regularly, especially when placing it outside and when bringing it back inside
•  Please retain and freeze any meat product (i.e. leftover food in the form of chicken, red meat, off cuts, etc.) until collection day before placing into the bin, so as to prevent the breeding of flies
• Store your bin in a cool place, avoiding direct exposure to the sun, to reduce/prevent flies breeding in your bin
• Where possible, practice home composting, this will allow further space in the bin during this period. Visit https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Cleaning-and-recycling/home-composting-programme on how to do home composting
• Please remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your waste

Residents are encouraged to submit service requests using the following channels:
• Call 0860 103 089
• Online https://eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html
Residents should please always remember to take note of the reference number provided.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office