Blue Bags

A guide on what to do if your blue garbage bags are not being collected on a regular basis

To get this guide on WhatsApp, message "Blue Bags" to 064 721 0958

Support

This guide was developed with support from Social Justice Coalition.

Know your rights

Everyone has the right to adequate housing and the state is obligated to take reasonable measures to satisfy that right.
Section 26(3) of the Constitution states that “No one may be evicted from their home, or have their home demolished, without an order of court made after considering all the relevant circumstances. No legislation may permit arbitrary evictions.” Everyone in South Africa has the right to access to adequate housing.
The Prevention of Illegal Eviction From and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998 (PIE) sets out the procedure and requirements to be followed in a lawful eviction. It also sets out the circumstances that the Magistrate should consider before ordering an eviction.

Ensure that you receive your two blue bags from the service contracted by the City

You'll find information about how to make sure you receive two blue waste bags per week. If you are getting these blue bags but they're not collected, move on to the next step

The municipality is responsible for solid waste removal on a weekly basis
The City contracts outside service providers to manage solid waste removal in informal settlements
The municipality provides waste bags for you to store your waste in
These bags are stored in a container or skip, to be emptied weekly
It is your responsibility to ensure you collect all your waste and store it in the waste bags provided
Request your waste bags from the waste collector workers who live in the area.
Alternatively you can SMS your request to 32772

Ensure that you put your rubbish bags out on the correct day for collection by the contractor and collect your two blue bags for the following week's waste collection

Keep reading if you are not sure what day your waste should be collected

Contractors have specified collection days
The municipality is responsible to ensure that residents of an area are aware of who the contractor is and what the collection days are
Contractors and the City’s project manager will introduce themselves to residents
Contractors are introduced to the local sub-council and ward councillors prior to commencement of work
If you haven’t been introduced to the contractor in your area, try asking your neighbours if they know and can introduce you
If none of your neighbours know, try finding some of the waste collection workers - they should live in the same area, they might even be your neighbour!
If you are still unable to find your contractor, enlist the help of your ward councillor

If you miss the contractor’s collection day, take your bag to the shipping container or the waste storage area (the contractor’s collection point)

If you know what day your waste should be collected but missed it, you can find out here where you should take your bags

The contractor will empty the waste container on the allocated day. In the meantime, leave your waste bag in the waste container
When the contractor is introduced to the community, placement of the waste storage container will be discussed
If you are unsure where yours is, ask a neighbour if they can assist
If your neighbour is not sure where it is, ask your street committee
The City must have internal controls in place to ensure an adequate level of service is provided before payment is made to the contractors

If you are putting your refuse out on the correct day and it is still not being collected, contact the senior foreman

Keep reading if you have bags and are putting them out on the right day, but they're not being collected

Contact the Solid Waste Management senior supervisor
The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the desired service level is maintained
The supervisor is introduced to the community, if you are unsure, ask a neighbour if they know
If your neighbour does not know, ask your street committee

If you can't get hold of the senior foreman or you have but the problem still isn't resolved, inform the workers of the contractor

If your waste isn't collected, try to contact the senior supervisor first. If that wasn't succesful, read here how to inform the workers of the contractor

The solid waste workers of the contractor are the ones physically picking up your waste bags
The workers all live in the areas they work in - see if you can speak to one the next time you see them

If you couldn't contact the foreman and the workers or if they were of no help, phone the City's call centre

If you have tried and failed to get the supervisor or the workers to resolve the issue

You can reach the City’s call centre at 0860 103 089
In order to solve your problem, the City will need to know the area you live in
You can also SMS to 32772

If you have reported the fault and your refuse is still not being collected ask for the assistance of your ward councillor

If you haven't reported the fault with the city yet, go back a step and do that. If you have but it has made no difference, you can ask your ward councillor for help

Your ward councillor is responsible for ensuring that municipal services are delivered
Find your ward councillor using this search tool

Find out who can assist

Social Justice Coalition

Isivivana Centre, 2nd floor
8 Mzala Street
Khayelitsha 7784
Cape Town
info@sjc.org.za
021 361 0298

Blue Bags

Social Justice Coalition

Know something we don't?

Help translate guides