Cape Town turns waste into opportunity

19 March 2026

As the world marked Global Recycling Day on Wednesday, 18 March, the City of Cape Town is highlighting how recycling and circular-economy initiatives are helping to grow new industries and create jobs.

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, recently visited a Fishing Net Recycling Pod at Collier Jetty at the V&A Waterfront.
 
At the facility, discarded fishing nets are processed into raw reusable material for manufacturing. Yesterday’s waste becomes high value materials used across industries – from clothing and furniture to automotive components; supporting small businesses, creating jobs and feeding into local supply chains.

‘Seeing this initiative up close shows how waste can become an economic resource. This creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, enables new forms of manufacturing and creates jobs,’ said Alderman Vos.

The initiative, led by Ocean Action Network and Ocean Plastic Technologies (OPT), is operated by small business owner Bukiwe Tshetsha of Mtubana Networks Recycling and creates opportunities for local fishermen who prepare the nets for recycling.
 
This reflects a broader shift in Cape Town’s economy, with growth in sectors such as recycling, renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing and the marine economy.

Through its Economic Growth Directorate, the City works with partners such as Green Cape – a City-supported organisation that helps drive investment and innovation in the green economy – to attract investment, support business growth and enable emerging sectors in the green economy, positioning Cape Town to benefit from growing global demand for sustainable solutions.
 
‘International Recycling Day reminds us that waste should not be seen as the end of a production line. With the right innovation and partnerships, it can become the starting point for new industries, new businesses and new jobs,’ said Alderman Vos.
 

Caption 1: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, at the Fishing Net Recycling Pod. From left: Mtubana Networks Recycling staff Sive Diniso; Philmon Aphiwe; Khumbulani Mene Karma; Mziyanda Sam Imatu; and Bukiwe Tshetsha, owner of Mtubana Networks Recycling; with Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth; as well as Estelle van der Merwe, owner and Managing Director of Ocean Action Network; Andre Blaine, Executive: Marine and Industrial Property at V&A Waterfront; and Michael Thomas, Cruise Terminal Manager at V&A Waterfront.

Caption 2: From left: Bukiwe Tshetsha, owner of Mtubana Networks Recycling, and Estelle van der Merwe, owner and Managing Director of Ocean Action Network, with Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

Caption 3 (Dropbox): Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

 
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office