Prevent illegal dumping
Let's work together to stop illegal dumping.
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is the depositing, discharging, spilling or releasing of any kind of waste in or on any public space. This includes waste that is loose or in boxes, barrels or bags.
Although we have a number of
waste management strategies and services in place for dealing with all types of waste, we have a dumping problem in Cape Town. It is one of the biggest challenges that we face. It is expensive, damages our environment and is harmful to ourselves and our animals.
Please note
Dumping on any public land is illegal and an offence. We work closely with SAPS in illegal dumping investigations. If you are found guilty of dumping illegally you could be fined between R500 and R10 000 and could get a prison sentence of 6 months to 2 years.
Report illegal dumping.
The high cost of illegal dumping in the community and the environment
It costs us R350 million every year to clean up illegal dumping. Cleaning up illegally dumped waste is about 20 times more expensive than collecting it from individual wheelie bins, as specialised equipment, including front-end loaders, must be hired to remove the waste.
Rubbish from littering
blocks drains and stormwater canals, pollutes our waterways and can contaminate our drinking water. Waste pollution also harms plant and animal life by damaging their natural environments.
Medical waste (also known as Healthcare Risk Waste) is a form of
hazardous waste and can spread infections and disease; and illegally dumped toxic waste is a potentially lethal threat to our communities.
Illegal dumping clogs our city
Each month, we attend to numerous sewer and toilet blockages and clear illegally dumped materials from open spaces. On a daily basis, we also unblock full-flush toilets in informal settlements. Toilet blockages are also a problem throughout the metro where there are public toilets.
Help us control illegal dumping
Look out for our big green bins
Green waste bins have been placed near public toilets and toilets in informal settlements as part of an ongoing waste management effort so that residents can dispose of waste properly. Eventually these bins will be placed in all informal settlements where we are legally able to place them.
Play your part in preventing illegal dumping
The City can provide support to community-led clean-up events in the form of blue bags and removal of bagged waste to landfill. If you are interested in this support please consult the relevant
guidelines and disclaimers, and then fill out the
application form.
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