4.4 Waste collection and transportation

4.4.(1)
The starting point with regard to waste collection and transportation was to develop an understanding of the status of waste collection, and associated backlogs, at municipal level, which was achieved through a comprehensive baseline study in 2006.
 

4.4.(2)
In terms of determining waste collection standards, the CSIR has been appointed to develop these per the requirements of the Waste Act, a process that will run in parallel with the development of the NWMS. At a provincial level, Gauteng has drafted minimum waste collection standards and DEAT has developed guidelines for waste collection in dense areas.
 

4.4.(3)
Alternative approaches to waste collection have been successfully explored throughout the country. This includes the use of community-based SME contractors to collect waste in traditionally unserviced areas and ‘food for waste’ programmes whereby poor households collect domestic waste weekly in exchange for food parcels. There is significant scope for replication of these models and this will be considered in the revision of the NWMS.