| City and partners scoop top awards for innovative recycling and waste reduction initiatives | The City’s ongoing efforts to implement innovative initiatives to miminise waste have been recognised at the PETCO Awards | <p></p><span><p>The City’s ongoing efforts to implement innovative initiatives to miminise waste have been recognised at the PETCO Awards, as have the strides made by the City’s recycling partnerships.</p><p>The PETCO Awards is a premier industry-driven national environmental awards initiative, recognising excellence in reuse, recycling and waste minimisation among businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals within the South African PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic industry. PETCO announced their winners in an online campaign this week.<br></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/petco1.jpg" alt="" style="width:2140px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The City jointly received first place in the Local Authority Recycling Initiative category with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs in Mpumalanga.</p><p>The following are some of the initiatives and services that are being actioned, which were highlighted in the City’s award nomination: </p><p>• <strong>Mobile ‘Swop Shop’ Trial: </strong>A dedicated trailer sets up shop in an area, and residents are encouraged to bring recyclables, in exchange for tokens that are redeemable for items in the swop shop, such as pantry goods and stationery. The programme was piloted over a five month period in Delft, Khayelitsha, Bloekombos and Ysterplaat, following research and community engagement to understand residents’ needs. While the swop shop trial was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the reception by communities was encouraging, with approximately six tons of recyclables per month swopped in the first one-and-a-half months, increasing to 30 tons per month in the final three months of the trial, which continued after the first lockdown. The City is continually researching alternative separation at source initiatives, guided by dialogue with communities.</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;"><strong>Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs</strong>): The City built a substantial MRF in Kraaifontein, where our service provider partners sort clean recyclables for the recycling markets. This ‘separation at source’ facility currently processes recyclables collected from a catchment area of 50 000 to 60 000 households, as well as some of the recyclables from the City’s remaining ‘Think Twice’ separation at source contracts. These contracts service a total of more than 180 000 households, and this will increase as additional MRFs are constructed. One such MRF is planned at the Coastal Park landfill site, and once complete, the two facilities will enable a minimum of 150 tons of recyclable waste diverted from landfill, every day.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;"><strong>27 City waste </strong><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/COVID-19_Lockdown_Operations_Service_Notifications.pdf">drop-off sites</a>: Residents are encouraged to bring their household recyclables to any of the 27 drop-off facilities, which are then sorted and sold on to the recycling markets by our SMME service provider partners. The facilities are open to the public daily (except for selected public holidays), and residents make use of them free of charge. Approximately 400 tons of recyclables per month are diverted from landfill through these facilities. </div></li><li style="text-align:left;"><p><strong>Partnerships, </strong>both direct and indirect, with service providers and organisations form a key aspect to the overall drive to minimise waste in Cape Town. Examples of such partnerships include:</p></li><li style="text-align:left;"><div>Working closely with GreenCape on a number of programmes, through networking and financial partnerships and joint working relationships. One of these is the City-funded Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme, WISP, where industry stakeholders are invited to ‘speed dating’ waste exchange events, and waste exchanges are later facilitated between different industries, with the help of the GreenCape facilitators.</div></li><li style="text-align:left;"><div>Partnering with the Packa-Ching mobile buy back centre programme managed by Polyco. This was done in terms of networking, as well as facilitating the use of plots of open City land, where the Packa-Ching trailer can park to provide its services to the residents.</div></li><li style="text-align:left;"><div>Indirectly partnering with the SMME recycling collection, drop-off and buy back centre industry as well, by developing the City’s waste recyclers map. This tool, on the City’s website, allows residents and businesses to search for private recycling collectors, drop-off sites and buy-back centres in their suburb or area. <br></div></li>Continuing networking partnerships with the Producer Responsibility Organisations, the Institute of Waste Management of SA and various other key organisations in the waste minimisation arena.<br></ul>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/petco2.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>Also, the Green Up Project won PETCO’s Recycling Partnership Game-changer Award. This project is an example of a City partnership, jointly coordinated by the City, the Western Cape Provincial Government and an industry stakeholder, which was independently nominated and won the PETCO award for Recycling Partnership Game-changer. This tri-partite partnership, launched in June 2019, empowers local waste reclaimers in various communities via entrepreneurship development towards greater prosperity through recycling.</p><p>Currently the project operates in Khayelitsha, Ramaphosa in Philippi and Drifsands, focussing on local women, and plans to rollout to additional areas in future, as it has potential to transform these communities through dedicated women minimising waste and supporting their families. </p><p>‘It’s a huge honour to receive this level of recognition by PETCO. The teams within the Solid Waste department, who have worked so consistently to establish innovative programs that minimise waste in our city, are to be commended and congratulated for their achievement. <br> <br>‘The cumulative volumes of waste diverted from landfill are their own reward, but it is wonderful to be officially recognised by such respected stakeholders and industry partners. The range of programs and interventions in place demonstrate the genuine care and commitment within the department to driving down waste, with benefits to the environment, the economy, and communities. </p><p>‘The awards affirm the City’s commitment to diverting waste from landfill and exploring waste minimisation solutions that work for communities.</p><p>‘Each one of us has a responsibility to make mindful decisions about the waste we generate in our daily lives, and while we do see evidence of increased waste awareness in our society, there is still a long way to go towards sustainability. It’s important to remember that recycling is not a silver bullet solution to the waste problem, but a way of managing it. All efforts recognised by PETCO this week deserve thanks and congratulations for the work they are doing. </p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/petco3.jpg" alt="" style="width:1814px;" /></figure></span><p>‘The City would like to congratulate all the national winners, especially those in Cape Town who won awards, showing that many stakeholders are working together towards a circular economy in Cape Town,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg. </p><p>More information is available on the <a href="https://petco.co.za/south-africas-2021-recycling-heroes-announced/">PETCO website here</a>. </p><p><br>End<br></p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><span></span><span></span> | 2021-03-04T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Local clothing manufacturing sector rebuilding one stitch at a time | The City provides funding to SBPs in order to actively seek out opportunities to grow the local economy by attracting investment and create jobs. | <span><p></p><p>The City supports 22 clothing and textile manufacturers via one of its Strategic Business Partners (SBP), the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC). This partnership is aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the local clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) manufacturing industry.</p><p>The City provides funding to SBPs in order to actively seek out opportunities to grow the local economy by attracting investment and create jobs.</p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/ACA%20Threads.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>‘I am pleased to confirm that in the next month, the CCTC is launching the online Team Leader Development Programme to help companies create first-line managers who will drive productivity, create stability, and harness innovation. The City has provided support for 20 learners to complete the four-month course and the cluster aims to train at least 50 learners over the next six months.</p><p>‘I am immensely proud of our partnership with the CCTC, especially how we were able to provide support to the industry through the various levels of lockdown. Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen first-hand how this support has resulted in the retention of jobs and embracing innovation to take advantage of new opportunities.<br></p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/CLOTHING%20IND1.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>Alderman Vos visited the largest clothing manufacturer in South Africa, Pep Clothing in Parow, Southern Africa’s leading thread manufacturer, ACA Threads in Brackenfell, manufacturers of high-quality outdoor and technical sportswear, Performance Brands in Lansdowne, as well as ROGZ in Montague Gardens, who export pet products proudly made in Cape Town to over 90 countries worldwide. </p><p>‘Collectively, these four manufacturers employ over 2 500 Capetonians and I was impressed to hear how some of these companies even managed to employ additional residents during the course of last year,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos. </p><p>In 2020, throughout the pandemic, CCTC members were supported through an online risk mitigation and recovery support programme which enabled them to quickly understand and adopt best practices, work safer and recover faster. With the continued support of the City of Cape Town, the CCTC is guiding members beyond recovery to sustainable growth. Key to this is the cluster’s market-led industry support strategy, in which major retailers are part of the conversation and provide a clear commercial link to manufacturing upgrading initiatives.</p><p>‘The City of Cape Town also partners with the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) and recently launched the Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator project, which is focused on creating employment opportunities for youth and women in the clothing and textile industry in Cape Town over the next three years. The project will enable SMMEs to take on machinists at a greatly reduced cost to their business while creating learning and work opportunities for unemployed women.</p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Performance%20Brands%20factory%20visit.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure></span><p>‘Through our strategic partnerships, I aim to help this important sector to boost production, attract the investment it needs to create more jobs and thrive. From the visits I have conducted, it has become clear that through our partnerships, support provided and our rapid response to uncertainty created by the Covid-19 global pandemic we have helped key sectors weather the storm and lay a solid foundation to build back better than before.’ said Alderman Vos.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> </figure></span><span></span><span></span> | 2021-03-04T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Celebrate South African Library Week with the City’s libraries | The very nature of our libraries as gateways to knowledge, communal spaces and curated collections of information was upended the last year | <p></p><span><p>‘The very nature of our libraries as gateways to knowledge, communal spaces and curated collections of information was upended the last year. While the facilities could not be accessed as before, the City’s libraries came up with novel ways to continue providing services to patrons. With Library Week, our libraries aim to continue being at the heart of our communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>South African Library Week (SALW) also aims to highlight library services across the country and encourage patrons to return overdue items without being fined.</p><p>‘The current value of overdue items is just more than R2 million. We may not be able to replace some of the items, which means they will be lost to all patrons. Not returning items deprives others of access,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p> </p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Mayor%20Dan%20Plato%20and%20Clr%20Badroodien%20at%20Table%20View%20Library.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>The top 10 items most often overdue are:</p><table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:100%;">Geography, Grade 12, study guide </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Cinderella</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Life sciences. Part 1. Grade 12, [study guide] </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Little Red Riding Hood</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Mathematical literacy. Grade 12, [study guide] : notes and worked examples, questions per topic, detailed answers with explanations </td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Business studies. Grade 12, [study guide]</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Physical sciences. Grade 12, study guide </td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/MAYOR1111.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>‘Our libraries matter, and so does every book, CD, DVD, magazine and newspaper. These are resources for entire communities, while the buildings provide communal spaces for social, cultural, political and economic interaction,’ said Councillor Badroodien.</p><p>The most popular authors are James Patterson and Danielle Steel whose books have been checked out 14 044 and 13 478 times, respectively, from January to November 2020.</p><p>The most popular individual books checked out at City libraries are those by authors Jeff Kinney and Lee Child, who make up the top four spots.</p><p>Double Down by Jeff Kinney has been checked out 606 times, Night School by Lee Child 581 times, Past tense by Lee Child 491 times and The Getaway by Jeff Kinney 456 times.</p>
<figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img">
<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Rondeboscsh%20Clr%20Zahid%20Badroodien%2c%20Mayoral%20C.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure></span><span></span><span><br>‘I want to encourage patrons to visit their libraries, especially to return any overdue items. By doing so, you are passing on the joy of a book and the information it contains to a fellow resident. Together we can ensure that our libraries matter,’ added Councillor Badroodien.</span><p><strong>Below is a list of libraries offering browsing, study space, SmartCape internet access and drop and collect services:</strong><br><strong> </strong><br><strong>Libraries open for drop and collect, browsing, study access as well as SmartCape access:</strong><br>Adriaanse, Athlone, Avondale, Belhar, Bellville South, Bishop Lavis. Brooklyn, Bothasig, Brackenfell, Bridgetown, Brown’s Farm, Camps Bay, Claremont, Central, Crossroads, Delft, Delft-South, Dunoon, Durbanville, Eersteriver, Eikendal, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Fish Hoek, Grassy Park, Gugulethu, Hanover Park, Harare, Huguenot Square, Kensington, Koeberg, Kraaifontein, Kuyasa, Lansdowne, Langa, Leonsdale, Lotus River, Macassar, Maitland, Mamre, Manenberg, Masiphumelele, Meadowridge, Melton Rose, Milnerton, Moses Mabhida, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Ocean View, Ottery, Parow, Philippi East, Pinelands, Retreat, Rondebosch, Rylands, Colin Eglin Sea Point, Scottsdene, Simonstown, Southfield, Strandfontein, Strand, Suider-Strand, Table View, Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre, Valhalla Park, Vredehoek, Westridge, and Woodstock.</p><p>Staff at the above-mentioned libraries will follow strict COVID-19 protocols. Patrons will be screened prior to entering our libraries to ensure the safety of all patrons and staff. All visitors are required to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and adhere to social distancing protocols. <br> <br><strong>Libraries open for Drop and Collect only</strong><br>Goodwood, Gordon’s Bay, Lentegeur, Kommetjie, Mowbray, Pelican Park Satellite, Plumstead, Rocklands, Somerset West and Weltevreden</p><p><strong>Libraries open for Drop and Collect and browsing only</strong><br>Edgemead, Khayelitsha Site B, Kulani, Masakhane and Tygervalley</p><p><strong>Libraries open for Drop and Collect, browsing and SmartCape access </strong><br>Lwandle/Hector Pietersen, Kloofstreet, Kuilsriver, PD Paulse, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Tokai and Wynberg</p><p><strong>Libraries open for Drop and Collect, browsing and study access only</strong><br>Bonteheuwel, Heideveld, Hout Bay and Nazeema Isaacs</p><p><strong>Libraries open for Drop and Collect, Study and SmartCape access only</strong><br>Hangberg, Mfuleni, Tafelsig and Observatory</p><p><strong>The following operating hours will apply:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00 and Saturday 09:00-12:00.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Loan period – 30 days</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Renewal – one renewal for additional 30 days</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Borrowing privileges – 20 items including five audio-visual items (CDs/DVDs)</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">No reservations or inter-library loans will be done at present</div></li></ul><p>Patrons and visitors are requested to acquaint themselves with the capacity limits for each of the services by accessing the information on the Online Public Catalogue (OPAC) at <a href="https://Opac.capetown.gov.za/client/en_US/a/" target="_blank">https://Opac.capetown.gov.za/client/en_US/a/</a> </p><p><strong>More about SALW</strong><br>The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) initiated SALW in 2001 as a commemorative period recognised by government when all types of libraries across the country use it as an opportunity to market their services and create awareness of the important role that libraries play in a democracy, advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality, and to promote tolerance and respect in society. </p><p>The choice of the date commemorates the establishment by proclamation of the first public library, the South African Public Library, now the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town Campus), on 20 March 1818. </p><p>In addition, the country celebrates Human Rights Day on 21 March and the Bill of Rights recognises the freedom of access to information as a basic human right. </p><p><strong>More information can be found at</strong>: <a href="http://www.liasa.org.za/" target="_blank">http://www.liasa.org.za/</a> And about SALW at <a href="http://www.liasa.org.za/south-african-libraryweek/" target="_blank">http://www.liasa.org.za/south-african-libraryweek/</a> <br> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> | 2021-03-04T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
