21 000 wheelie bins to be rolled out across George

GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has started rolling out 21 000 wheelie bins to households in identified areas across the city, in a move aimed at improving waste collection and tackling some of the challenges associated with refuse bags.

The first bins were handed over on Thursday 27 August, with 20 households each in Groeneweide Park, Delville Park and Conville receiving bins during the official launch.

The rollout will continue weekly, with about 1 824 bins expected to be distributed each week.

Executive Mayor Ald Browen Johnson, MMC for Community Services Cllr Erika Brown and municipal officials attended the first handovers. Johnson also visited Groeneweide Park in Ward 23, where he serves as ward councillor.

According to Johnson, the initiative was identified as a priority through the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process and the Ward Committee.

“The provision of wheelie bins was identified through the IDP process by the Ward Committee as a priority for this area,” said Johnson.

He said residents in Groeneweide Park, particularly those living near open fields, have experienced problems with rodents, while other areas have seen horses getting into refuse bags.

"The wheelie bins will help address some of these challenges,” he said.

The municipality has set aside R20 million for the current financial year to kick-start the programme, with a further R20 million allocated for 2027/28 and R10 million planned for 2028/29. This brings the total provision for the programme to R50 million over three years.

Johnson said the project was about more than simply giving households new bins.

“It is about improving household waste management and making our waste collection service more efficient,” he said.

Following the initial handovers, distribution will continue in Groeneweide Park, Bos en Dal, Delville Park and Conville, before expanding to other identified areas.

Frank Tamboer, Manager: Waste Removal, said the rollout would also assist in addressing illegal dumping.

“This will greatly assist with waste management and help address illegal dumping in the areas where the rollout is taking place,” he said.

Black bags to be phased out

As households receive their municipal wheelie bins, black refuse bags will gradually be phased out.

Residents will be responsible for looking after their bins, which remain municipal property. Each bin has “GM” engraved on the front and a unique serial number. Residents are encouraged to record the number and keep it safely.

Under George Municipality’s Integrated Waste Management By-law, residents must use an approved container for storing household waste and keep the receptacle on their property between collection days.

Residents are advised to place their bins in an accessible position on collection day and return them to their property afterwards. Bins should be kept clean and in good condition and used only for household waste.

Hot or warm ash should never be placed in a wheelie bin, while recyclable materials should not be placed in the general waste bin.

The municipality’s refuse compactor trucks are already fitted with wheelie-bin lifters, allowing the new containers to be collected mechanically.

Mayor Browen Johnson and officials literally roll the wheelie bins to homes in Formosa Drive, Groeneweide Park.