City marks World Environment Day with public awareness event on responsible waste management
05 June 2025
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg, joined the Asivikelane organisation for a public awareness event in Barcelona, Nyanga, in honour of World Environment Day on 5 June 2025. The City’s focus this year is on keeping our rivers and canals free of waste; a prominent issue for the city’s waterways.
The event aimed to raise awareness around responsible waste disposal, recycling and the collective role residents can play in protecting Cape Town’s natural environment, with a strong emphasis on plastic pollution in recognition of this year’s theme, Beat Plastic Pollution.
With many of the city’s canals and waterways running through high density areas, the population and dumping making its way into the canals is significantly high due to practices of improper waste disposal.
Plastic waste, if properly disposed of, can be recycled into many other re-usable products and at the same time prevent further pollution of our water sources. This illegal dumping can cause:
• Flooding during winter times as water systems are blocked due to plastic bags, and other solid waste, being discarded in the river catchment.
• A significant impact on the natural ecological habitat of the water life.
• Plastic to make its way to the oceans and contribute to overall plastic pollution.
• Environmental harm as plastics break down into extremely small parts, called microplastic.
• Environmental hazards such as plastic debris can attract insects and other organisms that spread bacteria.
‘World Environment Day reminds us that every action we take, no matter how small, contributes to the health of our planet. The way we manage waste has a direct impact on our environment. This event is about helping residents make more informed and sustainable choices, by inspiring them and empowering them with information.
‘Many residents are also unaware that plastic has significant value, so the event seeks to raise awareness and encourage buy-in to community recycling schemes that can both reduce environmental health risks associated with plastic, and support community social development initiatives or even household income. Through World Environment Day, we hope to create greater awareness on plastics and the importance of proper waste disposal by engaging residents of Kanana and New Rest, who live near the Barcelona Canal,’ said Alderman Twigg.
The event featured a drama performance including Bingo, as well as an information stand operated by the Urban Waste Management Directorate’s Public Awareness, Communication and Education team.
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Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
