More than 50% of Regent Street businesses said there was need for more bins need to be placed in the area and have called for greater consultations between them and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
In a press release the council said the bins were placed along Regent Street from Avenue of the Republic, Lacytown to Vlissengen Road, Bourda and a survey was conducted to determine the suitability of the locations and if their placement reduced the incidence of littering.
Further, the study sought to determine if the businesses in the area used the bins and the extent to which they used them.
The M&CC said most of the respondents were supervisors and the owners of businesses which indicate that “for the most part the business community has a vested interest in the cleanliness of the city.” According to the survey, 43% of the sample population had at least one bin on their premises, 25% had two receptacles, 13% had more than three and 6% had no bins.
It said the increased usage of the bins might be due to its anti-littering campaign conducted in February where more than 500 owners and occupiers were put before the courts for the absence of receptacles.
The study also found that some areas received clearance more often than others, but there was need for the review in the frequency of collection as this might account for the garbage dumps in some areas. It also implies that the collecting system may be short-changing some areas.
The M&CC said 44% of businesses said they used the street bins while 56% did not; 38% of respondents said the bins were too small while 62% said the size was appropriate; 56% said the bins were not properly placed to accommodate disposal while 44% said that they were appropriately placed.
Also, 25% of respondents said the design of the bins needs to be improved since refuse from the bins often spilled over into drains and on parapets. At the same time 56% said there was need for more bins in the area, 37% said the amount was appropriate while 6% were unsure.