Nationally, waste removal services are unequal depending on where you live. It’s not surprising that suburbs and wealthier areas benefit more from regular waste removal than informal settlements and outlying areas. In Cape Town, with a growing population, the municipality is looking to address its own waste management problems head-on with a new strategy.
The City of Cape Town Municipality recently published its draft Waste Strategy for public comment, which outlines its plans to turn things around. The strategy focuses on three pillars: optimising existing services, minimising waste to landfill, and partnerships with local businesses, NGOs, and community organisations to broaden the range of clean, affordable, and sustainable waste management solutions.
This is a useful blueprint for change, but there are at least four things we can do to deepen impact, which will hopefully be integrated into the final strategy once all public comments are reviewed.
Sorting at Source
An effective way to reduce waste is by sorting it at the source, which involves encouraging residents and businesses to separate their waste into distinct categories — recyclables, organic waste, and general refuse — before it ends up in a landfill. Educational campaigns and practical tools for waste separation can empower residents and businesses to play an active role in recycling and composting. This simple step can significantly boost resource recovery, reduce landfill usage, and foster a sense of environmental responsibility.
Community-based initiatives
Organic waste, which comprises food scraps, garden waste and other biodegradable materials, end up in landfills in large quantities. By implementing community-based composting programmes and supporting home composting initiatives, the City of Cape Town can divert organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and enriching local soil health. Pilot programmes, supported by incentives and strategic outreach, could help scale these efforts across the city.
Establishing decentralised composting facilities can further enhance these efforts, allowing for the processing of organic waste on a larger scale. This not only provides a sustainable solution for organic waste management but also creates opportunities for job creation. Additionally, promoting awareness campaigns around the benefits of composting can encourage residents to adopt this practice, fostering a culture of sustainability.
Support informal waste reclaimers
Informal waste reclaimers play a crucial role in Cape Town’s recycling system but often face unsafe working conditions and limited market access. Offering training programmes for informal waste reclaimers can enhance their skills in sorting, handling, and marketing recyclable materials. Education on health and safety protocols and the provision of protective equipment can reduce the risks associated with their work.
To improve efficiency, the municipality can provide access to recycling depots and designated sorting areas where waste reclaimers can operate safely and efficiently.
We need good data to make informed decisions
A strategy to modernise the city’s technological infrastructure, especially with regards to accurate waste profiling, must be prioritised and adequately funded.
The city’s draft strategy is a promising step towards a more sustainable future, but its success depends on input and action from organisations, communities, and residents. We need to work together to create change.
