The health hazards presented by illegal dumping and a high rat infestation in Actonville and Wattville in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, will soon be a thing of the past as the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality rolls out the distribution of 240 liter refuse bins in the area.

The distribution of the bigger refuse storage bins begins in the area this week and approximately 64 800 bins will be given to households in the two areas, plus parts of Brakpan by the end of June.

“The metro is aware that residents in these areas have been complaining about the presence of rats and this is one of the remedies which the municipality is offering,” explains Ekurhuleni spokesperson, Sam Modiba.

“Rodent infestation in communities is fortified by access to food, water and harborages. Reducing access to food for the rats, by way of providing better storage for refuse, is a step in the right direction for the eradication of rodents.”

One bin will be delivered to each household and recipients will be required to sign acknowledgment of receipt. Residents will be required to present either their most recent municipal account or their South African identity document in order to take receipt of the 240 litre container.

Once the roll-out is completed, residents will be notified when the Metro will begin utilizing specialized roll on-roll off truck for the scheduled weekly pick up of refuse.

“It is crucial that residents make use of the bins, and not refuse bags, because the trucks that will be used for collection have been fitted with a mechanism that picks up the bin itself, then loads the refuse into the compactor,” emphasizes Modiba. Households in need of additional bins are advised to apply for them.

The roll out is part of the EMM’s initiative to streamline its waste management processes to ensure that a uniform effective and efficient service is rendered throughout the region.

The roll out will first be completed in the Benoni areas, and will be followed by Geluksdal this financial year. The metro will continue with the other areas of Brakpan in the new financial year starting in July.

Distribution will take place Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 17:00. Residents who will not be home during those times are advised to contact the depot below for details on how to obtain their bin, or listen out for announcements that will be made through a loud hailer.