Pikitup to charge for Johannesburg bins

Johannesburg residents will have to pay R385 if they want to replace their damaged or stolen refuse bins next year, Pikitup says.

The new pricing and tariff structure would be effective from February 1, 2013, spokeswoman Pansy Oyedele said.

In the past Johannesburg residents received a 240 litre bin, and could have it replaced for free.

During the 2011/12 financial year, Pikitup replaced about 8500 wheelie bins at a total cost of about R3 million.

"This trend is not sustainable, and this money could well be spent on accelerated service delivery."

She said the bins were being used for purposes other than refuse, such as storage and transportation of goods, which was in contravention of the city's waste by-laws.

The new charge would be reviewed annually.