The Planning branch provides much needed technical support to the Solid Waste Management department. The branch consists of 6 diverse sections, namely:

• Integrated Waste Management Strategy & Policy
• Public Awareness, Education & Communication
• Information Technology
• Management Information Systems & Geographic Information Systems
• Waste Minimisation
• Business Improvement
  

The total approved staff compliment is 36 represented by 30 professionals and 6 administrative support staff.

Planning manages the key performance areas and result indicators associated with the following services:

• Develop, implement and review Integrated Waste Management (IWM) policy, strategies and by-laws.
• Provide a strategic coordinating support service to line departments and external stakeholders with regard to IWM.
• Research internal and external policies, strategies, best practice and plans for, and trends in, IWM.
• Liaise with internal (line departments and politicians) and external stakeholders (residents, commerce, industry, and government departments) in order to develop IWM policy, strategies plans and by-laws to regulate and to give effect to efficient, effective, affordable and sustainable IWM services that will minimise waste and ensure that impact is minimised on natural resources and the environment.
• Develop, implement and review efficient and effective public awareness and education programmes.
• Provide communication channels for waste management across Solid Waste, internal (sections, departments and politicians) and external to council (residents, commerce, industry and governmental departments).
• Facilitate appropriate partnerships and sponsorships (funding) with companies.
• Partner with communities in order to work in an integrated way with the City.
• Introduce a meaningful change in the physical and social environment of people by practicing waste management and minimisation.
• Manage the Solid Waste Information Technology (IT) service by developing and updating policies and processes that facilitate the delivery of an effective, efficient and visible information technology service for Solid Waste IT users.
• Provide input towards the compilation, maintenance, monitoring, implementation and performance of IT Service Level Agreements.
• Facilitate the delivery of IT infrastructure, developing, procuring and updating IT systems that support Waste Management services delivery.
• Provide IT support to optimise resource utilisation.
  
• Manages the life cycle of IT assets for optimum asset utilisation in order to ensure an effective, efficient, integrated and cost-effective IT service is delivered to Solid Waste.
  
• Develop, implement and review Solid Waste Management Information services (Business and Geographic Information Systems).
  
• Develop, implement and review Solid Waste Geographic Information services.
  
• Develop, implement and review Solid Waste Knowledge Management methodologies.
  
• Establishe effective reporting structures and lines for Solid Waste Strategic and Operational Information.
  
• Research best practices and technologies on information and knowledge management services.
  
• Provide proactive planning and support for effective decision-making processes.
  
• Provide strategy development, planning and direction for waste minimisation and zero waste management.
  
• Research and development on waste minimisation and benchmarking of waste minimisation services.
• Provide waste minimisation management services.
  
• Develop partnerships and general management services in order to ensure the sustainable provision of waste minimisation-related Solid Waste services to the citizens of Cape Town.
  
• Provide strategic business improvement services to Solid Waste services.
  
• Develop and facilitate partnership and agreements with internal and external stakeholders, clients and service providers.
• Provide project management and special project support
  
• Evaluate, review and implement Business Re-Engineering (BPR) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems and Interventions Development, review, update and implement processes, systems, procedures and standards.
  
• Provide input towards and the coordination of the compilation, maintenance, monitoring, implementation and performance of Service Level Agreements.
  
• Recommend on areas of improvement in order to ensure the promotion of effectiveness and efficiency.