| Partnership clears 23 tonnes of waste from Cape Town’s rivers | Partnership clears 23 tonnes of waste from Cape Town’s rivers | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>More than 23 tonnes of waste have been removed from Cape Town’s rivers and canals since May 2025, thanks to a partnership between the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate and The Litterboom Project.</p> | <span><p>Through the City’s grant funding, The Litterboom Project has installed eight new litterbooms across the metro and employed 12 local river wardens to maintain them. These simple yet effective barriers intercept litter before it can flow downstream into the ocean; while also creating work opportunities in surrounding communities.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Litterboom%20Project%201.jpg" alt="" style="width:933px;" /> </figure><p></p><span><p>As part of its project plan, The Litterboom Project has expanded its operations by creating a circular economy, which takes plastic pollution in rivers, sorts it and converts it into raw material for the production of useful items that can be re-used or sold. At their Innovation Hub, another team manages the waste sorting and cleansing facility, where recyclable plastic is transformed into commodities and everyday household items. The proceeds are then reinvested into initiatives keeping waterways clean and sustaining local reclaimers.</p><p>New litterbooms were installed at the following locations: <br>• Two booms in the Big Lotus in Manenberg. <br>• Two booms in the Big Lotus in Ottery<br>• Two booms in the Black River in Athlone <br>• One boom each in Bloemvlei Canal and Vygieskraal</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Litterboom%20Project%202.jpg" alt="" style="width:925px;" /> </figure><p><span><p>‘Too often, rivers and public spaces are treated as dumping grounds. When initiatives like The Litterboom Project involve local communities in taking shared responsibility for keeping our environment clean, it reduces water pollution and fosters lasting behavioural change. We are proud of the visible difference that this partnership is making,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councilor Zahid Badroodien. </p><p>‘With the City of Cape Town’s support and partnership, we believe that this initiative will establish a crucial framework enabling non-profit organisations to play a meaningful role in addressing environmental waste challenges, in collaboration with municipalities nationwide. There are many organisations doing tremendous work on the ground, and it is refreshing to see financial support coming directly from the municipality, to address the growing pollution problem and recognise the work being done by organisations like The Litterboom Project,’ said Cameron Service, CEO of The Litterboom Project. <br></p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Litterboom%20Project%203.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure><br></span></p></span></span><p><strong>About The Litterboom Project</strong><br>Founded in Durban in 2017, The Litterboom Project has grown into a leading non-profit working to restore the health of rivers in several South African cities, including Cape Town. Prior to receiving City funding, they had already installed six litterbooms along the Black River (Hazendal, Sybrand Park, and Rondebosch Golf Club) and two in the Lotus River; managed by 10 locally employed river wardens.</p><p>Since its inception, The Litterboom Project has trained and employed more than 200 people across its programmes. </p><p>In Cape Town alone, the team has intercepted over 255 tonnes of river waste since January 2025.</p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p><p><br> </p> | 2025-09-10T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#36a1168d-a508-46b6-bc80-b2e9f2f35a0b;L0|#036a1168d-a508-46b6-bc80-b2e9f2f35a0b|Community and Society;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#a3ac5825-3464-4e1b-a58b-75c8b257d806;L0|#0a3ac5825-3464-4e1b-a58b-75c8b257d806|water ＆ sanitation;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
