Every day, Cape Town generates about enough waste to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. In light of this, and following International Zero Waste Day, the City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate is sharing tips with the public to reduce waste so we can collectively help protect our environment.
The City currently manages about 2,1 million tonnes of waste annually, with about 31,53% of this waste currently diverted from landfill.
‘All of us generate waste by the products we buy and use so let’s all work together and do what we can, where we are, to help protect our environment by reducing waste that ends up at landfill. This includes waste from food, electronics and packaging. Helping to free up space at landfill and reduce carbon emissions are in our hands. We can all start improving our relationship with waste by using the tips provided,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management.
Shopping tips
∙ Buy only what you need. A shopping list and a budget can help prevent impulse buys.
∙ Buy in bulk and cut down on products with lots of packaging – refills and concentrates generally require less packaging.
∙ Choose durable products that won’t need to be replaced often.
Reduce packaging waste:
∙ Check for recyclable packaging on boxes and opt for these items instead.
∙ Consult the material ID codes. to avoid packaging made from type three or seven. These are seldom recyclable, if ever.
∙ Reuse boxes or sort them for recycling.
∙ Store paper and cardboard inside to avoid it getting wet. Wet cardboard is not ideal for recycling.
∙ Use the City’s Think Twice recycling collection service. See if you qualify.
∙ Take recyclables to municipal drop-off sites or private buy-back centres. The City has a waste recyclers map listing private recycling initiatives (collection services, drop-offs and buy-back centres).
Dispose of E-waste
Anything that has a plug, cable, or battery qualifies as e-waste. Small electronics such as outdated cell phones, cables, USB keys, card readers, game consoles, tablets and other gadgets are the most frequently ‘forgotten’ items. Other common e-waste includes, among other things, old CRT televisions, LCD/OLED and plasma televisions/monitors, computers, VCRs, DVD players, printers and radios. Light bulbs are also another common form of e-waste.
- Take outdated, damaged, or broken devices that have a plug, battery, or cable to the City’s drop-off locationsthat accept e-waste so that components can be safely recycled and disposed of. See which sites accept e-waste from a residential source here. These sites do not accept e-waste from businesses.
- Take batteries and CFL/LED bulbs to the household hazardous waste drop-offsat Athlone and Bellville Refuse Transfer Stations, or retailers that offer take-back services. (Normal City drop-offs do not accept these items)
- Contact private companiesto collect or purchase e-waste. See this list on our updated waste recyclers map. Companies that need to dispose of e-waste can also find service providers on this portal.
Reduce food waste
∙ Plan meals and shopping lists: Plan your meals in advance and create a detailed shopping list. This way, you can avoid overbuying and ensure you only purchase what you need.
∙ Buy locally and seasonally: Support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation by choosing locally-grown and seasonal produce.
∙ Proper storage: Store food correctly to extend its shelf life. Ensure refrigerated items are kept at the appropriate temperature and use the first-in, first-out method when organising your pantry.
∙ Think about your fridge/freezer capacity when stocking up on fresh fruit and vegetables, to minimise unnecessary spoiling of unused produce.
∙ Portion control: Be mindful of how much food you cook and serve. Start with smaller portions and allow guests to serve themselves second helpings if desired.
∙ Be creative with re-using leftover food: Get creative online recipes to turn leftovers into new and exciting dishes to enjoy, rather than just throwing them out.
∙ Composting at home: Composting food scraps reduces landfill waste and creates nutrient-rich compost that can be used to nourish plants and gardens.
∙ Businesses should have waste management plans, including their waste minimisation plan to dispose of organic waste, not via landfill.
Visit capetown.gov.za/Departments/Waste Services Department
