What Happens When Pikitup Skips Your Street in Joburg
Reliable waste collection is essential for keeping Johannesburg clean and healthy. But sometimes, residents find that Pikitup skips their street whether due to strikes, delays, or logistical issues. If your bins were left behind, you may be wondering what steps to take and where to report the problem.
This guide explains what happens when Pikitup misses a collection, who to contact, and alternative solutions you can use to manage your household waste.
Why Does Pikitup Miss Collections?
There are several reasons why your refuse might not be collected on the scheduled day:
- Work stoppages or strikes – These disruptions affect large parts of the city until operations resume.
- Operational delays – Truck breakdowns or route backlogs can result in certain streets being skipped.
- Public holidays and rescheduling – Collection days sometimes shift if they fall on public holidays.
- Missed bins – On occasion, individual streets or houses may be skipped due to human error.
Step 1: Contact Joburg Connect
If your street has been skipped, the first step is to log the issue with Joburg Connect:
Call: 011 375 5555 / 0860 562 874 / 010 055 5990
You can also log a query online or through the City of Joburg’s customer service channels.
They can:
- Arrange a special collection for your street.
- Confirm whether the skip was due to a wider service disruption.
- Advise if you should leave your bins out for a delayed pickup.
Step 2: Use Garden Sites (as a Backup)
If you can’t wait for a special collection, you may take your refuse to the nearest Pikitup Garden Site.
These sites accept household waste in emergencies.
Waste must be placed in the designated disposal area.
Garden sites also allow you to drop off recyclables, garden waste, and small amounts of rubble.
Step 3: Check for Service Updates
When disruptions affect large parts of Johannesburg (for example, during strikes), Pikitup usually issues recovery schedules.
- Updates are shared via the Pikitup website, social media, and news outlets.
- Residents are encouraged to keep bins outside on the revised days.
- Missed collections are typically recovered over weekends.
Step 4: Know About Free Bulky Waste Collection
While not directly related to missed street collections, Pikitup also offers one free bulky waste pickup per month.
This applies to items such as:
- Old furniture
- Mattresses
- Appliances
To use this service, contact your nearest Pikitup depot or log a request through Joburg Connect.
What Not to Do
- Don’t dump waste illegally on open land, street corners, or riverbanks—this leads to health hazards and fines.
- Don’t mix hazardous waste (like chemicals or batteries) with your normal refuse.
Learn more: Illegal Dumping in Gauteng: Why It’s Getting Worse
Quick Action Plan if Pikitup Skips Your Street
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| My bin wasn’t emptied | Call Joburg Connect to log a missed collection |
| Entire street skipped | Check Pikitup’s website/social media for rescheduled collection dates |
| Waste piling up at home | Use the nearest Pikitup Garden Site to dispose of refuse temporarily |
| Large household items to dispose | Book the free bulky waste collection via your depot or Joburg Connect |
If Pikitup skips your street in Johannesburg, you’re not stuck with uncollected refuse. The City of Joburg has channels in place to help: log the issue with Joburg Connect, use Garden Sites in emergencies, and stay updated on service recovery schedules.
By reporting problems promptly and using available alternatives, residents can help keep Johannesburg cleaner and reduce the risk of illegal dumping.
