Pikitup bolsters its services by adding 12 new compactor trucks
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure Service Department, Cllr Jack Sekwaila, officially unveiled 12 new Pikitup compactor trucks today at the Southdale Pikitup Depot in Johannesburg. The event was attended by Pikitup Board Chair Maxwell Nedzamba, COO Meyrick Ramatlo, CFO Litshani Matsila, and other senior Pikitup officials.
“The new 12 trucks will significantly enhance waste collection services in our City. These trucks symbolise more than just vehicles; they reflect our concerted efforts toward achieving a cleaner Johannesburg. It is also important to note that today’s unveiling will bolster Pikitup’s capacity in the commercial waste management sector,” MMC Sekwaila stated.
“Many of the existing Pikitup compactors are outdated and insufficient to serve our community effectively. The introduction of these new trucks will enhance our waste collection capacity, allowing us to manage larger volumes of waste, especially from bulk and commercial clients. This will enable Pikitup to provide high-quality and reliable services to the residents of Johannesburg,” he added.
“These new vehicles will help address several mayoral priorities, such as smart city, by improving cleanliness through regular and timely waste removal, reducing illegal dumping, overflowing bins, and littering. By tackling these critical issues, we will also attract more investors to our city,” he continued.
This new fleet will also play a significant role in helping the City generate revenue. The trucks will be dedicated to bulk and commercial services, which will create income through billing. By managing waste contracts with businesses and large institutions, the city can enhance its income from these contracts.
The unveiling included not only the compactor trucks; Pikitup has also introduced 41 trucks specifically for the separation-at-source programme. These caged trucks will be deployed to areas implementing this programme, which aims to increase the yield of recyclable materials.
“Collecting waste from businesses, particularly food waste, is crucial in our efforts to divert waste from landfill sites. Our ultimate goal, as mandated by the National Environmental Management Act of 1998 and the National Waste Management Strategy, is to ensure that only 3% of residual waste ends up in landfills, with the remaining 97% being recycled or repurposed,” said MMC Sekwaila.
Recycling and repurposing waste are not just legislative requirements; they are essential for preserving our limited landfill airspace. This is a pressing issue. The Marie Louise landfill site is not operating at full capacity and only accepts clean builders’ rubble. Other waste streams need to be redirected to alternative landfill sites, highlighting the urgent need for more effective waste management practices.
Pikitup is adopting a multi-faceted approach to improve and increase the amount of waste recycled in the city. Our aim is to implement responsible waste management practices to protect our environment, conserve our planet, and preserve the limited airspace in our landfills.
In line with this goal, Pikitup is also constructing waste sorting facilities at the Robison and Linbro landfill sites. These facilities will be utilised by cooperatives in the recycling sector to ensure that as few recyclable materials as possible end up in landfills.
“These new trucks represent a significant milestone for Pikitup and the city. They demonstrate our commitment to delivering efficient waste collection services, improving recycling efforts, and contributing to the city’s environmental and financial sustainability,” MMC Sekwaila concluded.