Municipal Systems Act S.78 (3)
Assessment of Alternative Service Delivery Mechanisms for Solid Waste Management



What was done? 



The City of Cape Town has undertaken an assessment of the waste management services to develop an improved system, which meets legal requirements and reduces the amount of waste being disposed of to landfill. In legal terms the process is referred to as a Section 78(3) assessment in terms of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act (MSA) (as amended by the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Act 44 of 2003). Council agreed to this assessment on recommendation that the status quo of current municipal services is inadequate and does not meet the changes brought about by the new waste legislation. It will be done in the form of investigations, assessments and public participation and will lead to recommendations to Council. 


Why was it done? 



The assessment of the current waste management service offered by the City of Cape Town is primarily driven by the following: The need to meet legal requirements, and to give effect to Council’s commitment to optimise waste management service delivery mechanisms.
‘Meet legal requirements’ refers to The National Environmental Management Waste Act, which came into effect on 1 July 2009, which requires that waste minimization be considered by municipalities in addition to municipal services such as cleaning, collection and disposal to landfill. The assessment explored methods to reduce the volume of waste reaching landfill sites and to increase the recycling of economically viable materials in terms of the City’s Integrated Waste Management Plan and Integrated Development Plan.
‘Give effect to Council’s commitment’ refers to Council’s commitment to strive for an optimal waste management service that will reduce resource, health and environmental impacts, while adding value to the local economy.

What are the findings and recommendations? 



The waste review found that the City faces a number of challenges – two in particular are the shortage of landfill sites and the limited number of drop-off facilities. The recommendations look at investigating suitable systems, infrastructure and mechanisms for the business of Solid Waste. These include upgrading existing facilities, investigating energy from waste infrastructure, making internal business improvement changes, recycling builders’ rubble and many others.