City of Cape Town Link

Keep our public places clean

We need to take care of our city and nature environment by keeping our streets and public places clean.

Don't litter

If we litter in public places, our rubbish blocks drains, can dirty our drinking water, and costs the City lots of money. Our rubbish also makes its way to our oceans through canals and stormwater drains, where is can destroy plant and animal life.

Learn more about Illegal dumping in the community.

How to keep our public places clean

Look out for our big green bins

Green waste bins have been placed near toilets in informal settlements and public toilets so that residents can dispose of waste properly. In 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, the City rolled out 929 bins in 24 informal settlements at a cost of approximately R753 000.

Eventually these bins will be placed in all informal settlements where we are legally able to place them. The City is working hard to break the cycle of pollution, but we can’t do it alone – we need your involvement to combat waste and litter. Find out more about the Green Litter Bin Education and Awareness Project for Informal Settlements.

Help keep Cape Town clean and litter-free

use our litter bins. You’ll find them in business areas, transport interchanges and places with high pedestrian traffic.
For bulky or hazardous waste, use Athlone Refuse Transfer Station, which is the only drop-off accepting hazardous waste. Bellville Transfer Station will also accept hazardous waste, but it is not yet operational.
Let us know when public space needs to be cleaned or cleared of dumped material via our service requests app.

Our public cleaning services

City of Cape Town public cleaning services
Service	Overview
Street cleaning	We regularly sweep kerbs and clear litter off sidewalks and verges in public spaces and on scenic routes. We clear leaves or sand to avoid flooding caused by storm water blockages. We regularly disinfect or hose down streets/expressways and freeways. Request this service online
Cleaning of informal areas	We hire contractors from within the community to help collect waste and clean public and informal areas. Cleaners are rotated annually to give employment opportunities to other residents in a community.
Beach cleaning	We are responsible for beach cleaning. Pollution caused by emergencies such as oil spills, dead whales and dead seals is cleared by the Cleansing Branch in collaboration with other agencies. This particular service often requires specialised equipment and services. To report beach pollution, please contact 021 487 2239.
Removal of animal carcasses	The City only removes animal carcasses on public land and roads. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To report an incident, call 0860 103 089.
Park cleaning	We are proud of our parks and maintain and clean parks regularly. If you think a park needs attention please request a maintenance service. Request this service online.
Public toilet cleaning	Depending on where the public toilet is, different City teams will be responsible for cleaning, which we do regularly. If you would like to report an incident or a problem, please see our public toilet facilities for a list for individual contact details.
Illegal dumping	Report illegal dumping immediately on 0860 103 089. If you have the culprit's vehicle registration number and/or can identify him/her, call 021 400 6157 or email solidwaste.bylaw@capetown.gov.za.

Get help

If you need assistance with cleaning other areas not listed above, you can reach out to us in multiple ways.

Report your issue online using our service requests app.
Contact the councillor in charge of your subcouncil or your local ward councillor if your concern is serious. Find your subcouncil here.
Contact the Waste Services Department.

Document downloads

1. Littering FAQs
  01/01/2009, FAQs - 339.6 KB

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