Residents throughout Cape Town should be aware that there may be delays in the refuse collection service. This is due to a shortage of standby vehicles that operate in case of a breakdown.

“Every attempt will be made to clear bins on the scheduled day, and residents are asked to leave their bins out until 10.30pm each day until it is collected. The City will operate over the weekend to clear any backlogs as well,” the City said in a statement. “The City is working with supply chain management in order to ensure that this is resolved as quickly as possible, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

In 2018, the City had set aside approximately R118,7-million for initiatives to minimise the waste which makes its way to Cape Town’s landfills. This included programs for the recycling and composting of suitable materials.

Cape Town aims to be one of the world’s most clean and resource-efficient cities, and does its utmost to protect its natural environment to enable a more prosperous future.

”Instead of throwing away all of the waste that we produce, we need to start thinking more carefully about how to produce less waste in the first place, as well as what can be recycled, composted and reused. This is increasingly becoming the new lifestyle choice of so many consumers,” said Xanthea Limberg,  Mayco Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy.

Fast forward to 2020, with the City recently announcing that it will be trialing compost bins.

Seven different areas under the Subcouncil 1 will benefit from the new initiative, as it will assist residents in growing their own food and making better use of their organic waste.

The aim is to ensure less organic waste ends up in landfills. Residents in Sherwood, Pella, Atlantis, Saxonsea, Protea Park and Robinvale are being encouraged to apply for a free home composting container at Saxonsea Hall, between 3pm – 6pm on March 3 and 4, 2020.

An estimated 200 free composting containers will be issued each day and applicants will have to fill out a form at the venue on the date mentioned to apply.

ALSO READ: Cape Town pilots free residential compost bins

Picture: Pixabay

Article written by

Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.