MICHELLE SAFFER
Waste collection has had a bit of a hiccup with recycling lying on the streets for more than a week now that the City has a new contractor.
According to the mayoral committee member for utility services, Ernest Sonnenberg, the new contractor was due to begin on July 1 “but indicated at the last minute that he would only be able to commence on 1 October 2016 due to logistical matters on their side.”
This was “(d)espite detailed planning by the City for a smooth handover by the successful bidders”. He said the City had taken over the service in the interim.
“The collection of recycling is behind schedule in some areas. The City appeals to residents to be patient as we work towards streamlining the process,” he said.
The previous contractor had been operating on a month-by-month basis after their contract ran out, said Mr Sonnenburg, but this had lapsed at the end of June in anticipation of the new contract commencing in July.
The City of Cape Town, as a result, is providing solid waste collection services directly to the far south as well as parts of the Helderberg, northern suburbs and Hout Bay for an interim period. These areas are normally serviced by City-appointed contractors for both wet waste (wheelie bins) and suburbs which are part of the Think Twice Recycling Programme.
The Solid Waste Management Department put in place a contingency plan and the City would be servicing the areas on the same days as they are normally serviced.
“The City will strive to ensure that the only difference residents will notice is the change in collection vehicles,” he said. “The City would like to ask residents for their patience and understanding as there might be a variation in the times that they are accustomed to having their bins collected on those days. “The City will keep affected residents informed of changes as they occur and again thanks residents for their patience and support.”
* The far south areas affected are Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Glencairn, Simon’s Town, Sun Valley, Noordhoek, Kommetjie, Scarborough, Ocean View and Masiphumelele.
