Bingo the anti-litter mascot takes the #SpringCleanCT campaign to schools

13 September 2023

Cape Town’s new anti-litter mascot, Bingo, is hitting the campaign trail to schools as part of the annual #SpringCleanCT campaign for 2023. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined Bingo at Caradale Primary School in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday, 13 September, along with Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management. 

'It was a joy to see the excitement of learners at Caradale Primary School in Mitchells Plain as the City's new anti-litter mascot, Bingo, entertained and encouraged them to always keep Cape Town clean.

'Many of us will recall being reached by anti-littering messages during our school days, with phrases like "Zap it in the Zibi bin". In Cape Town we want to rekindle anti-litter campaigning in our schools to inspire a new generation to never litter. Our simple message is to always "Bin it in the Bingo Bin", which is why our mascot is modelled on the thousands of green litter bins the City has placed across the metro.

'Bingo will hit the trail to primary schools across the metro as part of our annual Spring Clean campaign for 2023, and we will also be supplying schools with campaign content to display in classrooms, hallways and libraries,' said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

Close to 200 000 additional bags of litter were collected across Cape Town last year as part of joint spring clean-up campaign efforts by the City, residents, civil society, schools and businesses.

This year, the City will again scale-up cleaning operations in litter hotspots across the metro. Residents can get involved by organising clean-ups in their areas.

Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, said the City is expanding cleaning efforts along major routes and littering hotspots to prepare our city for the busy tourism season ahead.

'Our outreach teams will also be engaging residents in malls, schools, intersections and public places. Our simple message is to never litter, and always keep Cape Town clean.

'As part of the #SpringCleanCT campaign, a 24-hour toll-free number (0800 110077) is also available for residents to report illegal dumping tip-offs in exchange for a reward where this leads to arrests,' said Alderman Twigg.

The City is further making major investments in Urban Waste Management services over the next three years, including:

·       R755 million to upgrade Urban Waste Management facilities, including landfills, drop-offs, waste to energy projects, recycling and depots;

·       R659m for new refuse removal vehicles to ensure a reliable service;

·       R4,6bn on expanded area cleaning including street cleaning, beach cleaning, illegal dumping, events and more;

·       R758m towards the goal of improved informal settlements waste management.

Share your #SpringCleanCT efforts on social media:

Get involved by organising or joining a clean-up.

   Tag your clean-up with #SpringCleanCT to show your pride in our beautiful Mother City!

Twitter: @CityofCT, @Geordinhl, and @GrantTwigg

Facebook: City of Cape Town, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Alderman Grant Twigg

Report illegal dumping:

24-Hour toll-free Illegal Dumping Tip-off line: 0800 110077

Email: solidwaste.bylaw@capetown.gov.za

Please include photographs or details that can help Law Enforcement identify and penalise the culprits. 

To notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared, please call 0860 103 089.   

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office