Municipalities often overlook backyard residents in their provision of free basic services which are funded by the equitable share. Isandla Institute did research on the implications of extending water and sanitation infrastructure to backyard residents in 2022. The case study undertaken on waste management in 2023 builds on the advocacy arguments around including backyard residents in free basic service provision as well as in respect of other public amenities and services such as policing, access to health care, early childhood centres, libraries etc. It examines the challenges and opportunities in facilitating the extension of the service to all indigent residents in under-serviced areas. It also examines the high societal, health and environmental costs of failing to provide services. With examples from practise, it briefly touches on some of the multiple interventions which may not be as resource-intensive but which are capable of yielding significant positive impacts both in the short, medium and long-term in the context of refuse removal initiatives. Waste management is the one basic service that provides entry points for diverse local economic development and employment opportunities.