We’re all for protecting our environment and recycle at home
and work. Monday’s are our recycling collection days and this morning we got a
flyer with our free recycling bags which prompted me to update the blog.
Cape Town is running out of landfill (dumping) spaces at a
fast pace. Approximately 6000 tons of waste is dumped every day in the Mother
City. 1 Ton of waste fills up a standard
3m x 2m room right up to the roof, so imaging 6000 of these rooms being filled
with waste every single day.
By separating recyclable material from the rest of the waste
greatly reduces the amount of dumping materials which fills up our scarce landfills.
Holland has a highly developed recycling practise that they recycle
up to 90% of their total waste.
In South Africa, less than 20% of our recyclable waste is
actually recycled.
Get Involved:
Please direct any queries regarding Recycling in your area
to the below:
- Contact False Bay Recycling on telephone 021 – 703 4716 / 082 650 6380 / 021 -715 5919).
- Waste Mart (Athlone Industria 2) can also be reached on 021 – 691 6576 (speak to Quiyaam).
- Initiate a recycling program at work if you don’t already have one in place.
- Check out www.thinktwice.co.za for more information.
What can be
Recycled (Yes Please – Recyclable Material):
- Paper: flattened and folded cardboard, any paper, newspapers, magazines, old letters, envelopes, books, coloured paper
- Glass: rinsed bottles and jars (it also helps if you removed the lid which can also be recycled)
- Plastics: Anything with the recycling logo, any bags, rinsed bottles, containers, coat hangers, lids, aluminium foil, any solid metal items
- Metal: rinsed food tins, cans and scrap metal
- Tetra Pak: foil-lined juice boxes and milk containers
- Polystyrene (Styrofoam): Food trays and packaging foam
What can’t be
Recycled (Non-recyclable material):
- Paper: Paper cups and plates, blueprint paper, cigarette ends, carbon paper, waxed cartons
- Glass: Broken windows / windscreens / mirrors, glass kitchenware, light bulbs, crystal
- Plastic: Disposable nappies
- Metals: Electrical appliances, batteries, needles, aerosol cans or paint tins
- Organic Waste: Food scraps, garden waste, vegetable peels, wood (start a compost heap - it's great for the environment and your garden)
- Textiles: Old clothing, shoes, furniture
Other: Any overly dirty or contaminated items
