The City of Cape Town will host a series of engagement sessions on organic waste disposal in landfills next week.
The sessions aim to educate residents about the adverse impacts of organic waste sent to landfill sites, including environmental consequences and the link between greenhouse gas emissions and the disposal of organic matter at landfills.
Also read: The City aims to distribute 5 000 home composting containers in 2023/24
The engagement session will be held during International Compost Awareness Week, from 6 to 11 May.
‘We believe that community engagement is key to addressing the organic waste crisis,’ says Grant Twigg, Mayco member for urban waste management.
‘Through these sessions, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to make a positive impact on the environment. By adopting simple yet effective practices like home composting, each of us can play a significant role in mitigating the harmful effects of organic waste disposal.’
In addition, the City will distribute 250 home composting containers to residents at each session. These containers allow residents to compost organic waste at home, thus diverting it from landfills. Containers will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.
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The community engagement session will take place on the following dates and times:
For those who can not attend, the City provided some tips to help combat human-induced climate change:
- Rethink your approach to food: If we think about the energy, water and nutrients which has gone into producing the food we buy, and thus view it as a valuable resource, we will begin to view it as something not to be wasted.
- Plan meals mindfully: Planning meals in advance can help reduce the likelihood of overbuying or preparing more food than necessary. By creating shopping lists based on planned meals, residents can minimise impulse purchases and ensure that ingredients are used efficiently.
- Store food properly: Proper storage of perishable items, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, can prolong their freshness and prevent spoilage. Utilising airtight containers, refrigeration, and labelling containers with the date can help extend the shelf life of food items.
- Embrace creative cooking: Transforming leftovers and surplus ingredients into new dishes is a great way to minimise food waste. Embrace creativity in the kitchen by experimenting with recipes and incorporating leftover ingredients into soups, stir-fries, salads, and casseroles.
- Only dish up what you plan to eat: Each person in the home (except for small children) should dish up their own plate, and should only take what they plan to eat. This will avoid half-finished plates of food being thrown away because they can’t be decanted back into the main serving dish due to contamination.
- Understand date labels: ‘Best before’ refers to the freshness date. It tells you how long the product will be at its best flavour and quality. The ‘expiry date’ or ‘use by’ date, however, tells consumers the last day a product is safe for consumption. Understanding the difference is key when buying your weekly groceries.
- Support food redistribution initiatives: Supporting local food banks, shelters, and community organisations can help redistribute surplus food to those in need. By donating excess food items, individuals and businesses can contribute to reducing food insecurity and combating hunger in our communities, while at the same time reducing their impact on the planet.
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Also read:
5 of the best things inside your home to put in your compost bin
Picture: City of Cape Town