City partnership prevents 94 tonnes of river pollution from reaching the ocean
06 August 2026
Three litterbooms in the Black River prevented nearly 94 tonnes (93 963kg) of waste from entering the Atlantic Ocean over four months. This is testament to the success of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s partnership with environmental non-profit organisation The Litterboom Project (TLP), to intercept pollution before it reaches the ocean.
Between March and June 2026, eight full-time river wardens monitored and maintained waste interceptors daily while conducting clean-up activities across four priority waterways, intercepting 93 963kg of waste before it could enter the Black River system and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean.
‘Intercepting nearly 94 tonnes of waste before it reaches the ocean shows the undeniable power of our partnerships on the ground. Interceptors and dedicated river wardens are essential, but to protect our catchments for the long term, we must run a dual-track strategy.
‘Alongside our ongoing infrastructure efforts with partners like The Litterboom Project, we are focusing on the socio-economic drivers of waste in high-density areas. By expanding Urban Waste Management initiatives like waste-for-goods swop shops led by the City and unlocking the broader recycling market, we can turn river protection into direct economic value for our residents. It takes both dedicated containment and community-driven incentives to keep our waterways clean,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
The City’s grant restored full-time operations at the Jakkelsvlei, Bloemvlei Canal and Vygieskraal Canal litterboom sites while establishing full-time waste interception at the Bokmakierie Canal.
Recovered recyclable materials were diverted from landfill and incorporated into new products through TLP’s circular economy programme, while the grant also sustained eight local employment opportunities, delivering both environmental and socio-economic benefits.
‘We are proud of the collaboration between the City of Cape Town and The Litterboom Project. The ongoing, consistent efforts of our teams working together across multiple departments has shown a willingness from the City for strategic partnerships with high-impact organisations.
‘This has resulted in tremendous success and highlights the City of Cape Town as solution-driven, rather than unrealistic in tackling the challenges Cape Town's rivers face alone.
‘We are eager to expand these efforts and show the rest of South Africa that healthy rivers and oceans are a realistic objective through collaboration,’ said Cameron Service, CEO of The Litterboom Project.
Caption 1: River Wardens from The Litterboom Project remove waste intercepted by the litterboom in the Jakkelsvlei River in Bridgetown. This litterboom is one of three restored through the City's grant funding programme, helping to prevent pollution from reaching the Black River and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. (Supplied by The Litterboom Project)
Caption 2: River wardens clear waste from the Bokmakierie Canal, where the City's grant funding enabled The Litterboom Project to establish full-time waste interception operations for the first time.
Caption 3: The Litterboom Project team clearing waste in the Bokmakierie Canal along Jan Smuts Drive. From left: Ant Stott, Jihaad Jacobs, Songezo Ndevu (Senior Professional Officer: Water and Sanitation), Marco Kemp, Jawaad Raynard, Nathan Rooi, Cavaton Cederstroom and Afika Gwaza.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
