Domestic refuse & recycling collection
WasteMart manages a wide range of domestic refuse and recycling collections on behalf of the City of Cape Town. Through our sub-contractors, we currently service in excess of 175 000 homes per month.
Conventional domestic refuse collections are carried out in the following areas:
- Brown’s Farm, Philippi, Weltevreden and surrounds
- Helderberg, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Strand, Somerset West, Gordons Bay
In 2008, WasteMart was the first company to be awarded a contract by the City of Cape Town for the removal of both ‘wet’ general refuse and ‘dry’ recyclable waste materials from homes. This involved door-to-door collection and transport of recyclables to a materials recovery facility for sorting and baling, in preparation for reprocessing into new products again. Currently WasteMart manages domestic recycling collection contracts on behalf of the City of Cape Town to residents in the Far South
Here’s how to join in and recycle
WasteMart, on behalf of the City of Cape Town, provides free fortnightly (yes there’s been a change from weekly) collection of recyclable materials (plastic, paper, glass, tins) to households in the Far South: Fish Hoek / Simon’s Town / Kommetjie / Noordhoek as well as St James, Muizenberg, Lakeside, Steenberg and Stonehurst Estates. Contact your Councillor if you are unsure when the current month’s collections happen.
Join in by ordering your starter pack at the contacts below. Or download an information leaflet for your area, pick up clear bags for recycling from your nearest supermarket or hardware store and get into the routine.
Get sorted for recycling
Follow these simple steps to get into the recycling routine:
- Using the clear bag you’re given to start with, gather your ‘dry’ recyclables (paper, glass bottles, tins, plastic) together.
- Every fortnight, place your clear bag full of recyclables next to, or on top of your wheelie-bin (check to see which weekday your neighbours put out their recycling bags, or call your Councillor)
- We will remove your bag of recyclables and swop it with a new bag to collect the following fortnight’s recyclables. Repeat fortnightly, and you’re on your way.
We will deliver your starter pack to you. Contact 0860 456 786 or email: recycling@wastemart.co.za
FAQs
What can be recycled and must go into the clear bag?
✔ Plastic milk/drinks bottles and other containers
✔ Paper and cardboard (flattened and folded)
✔ Glass bottles and jars (no other glass)
✔ Metal beverage and food cans
✔ Juice or milk boxed containers
What cannot be recycled and must go into the refuse bin?
✗ Food waste, scraps and peelings
✗ Cling wrap, disposable nappies, toothpaste tubes
✗ Wet or contaminated paper and cardboard
✗ Old clothing and shoes
What must I do with my bag of recyclables?
Place your bag of recyclables next to (or on top of) your wheelie-bin for collection.
When must I put my bag of recyclables out for collection?
Fortnightly (look out and see which weekday your neighbours put out their recycling bags, or call your Councillor.).
How do I get a new clear bag for my recyclables?
A new clear bag will be swopped for the bag of recyclables that you put out for collection. You can also use clear bags available at most supermarkets.
Are the lids from plastic bottles recyclable?
Bottles with tops on keep plastic bottles full of air. This takes up a lot of space in bags and on collection vehicles. So take tops off and squeeze plastic bottles flat. The caps can then be added in with the recyclables, but not left on the bottles.
What about pizza boxes and food packaging?
All paper, cardboard or plastic containers will be recycled. However, please remove excess food before placing the paper, cardboard or plastic container in recycling bag
Should I rinse out milk bottles first?
It is not absolutely necessary to rinse bottles – do it with dishwater if you can – but the bottles must be emptied of remaining liquid before placing the bottle in the recycling bag.
What must I do with cardboard boxes?
Flatten cardboard boxes and place beside wheelie-bin.
Can I recycle broken glass or cups or window glass?
No other glass except bottles can be put out for recycling.
What about electronic e-waste – like batteries, globes, appliances.
No these can’t be recycled in our system and must not be put into the clear bag. Ask retailers such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay or Spar which stores can take them.
Can I put garden refuse into the clear bag?
No – garden refuse must be taken to the City’s drop-off sites.
Are businesses also included in the free kerbside collection programme?
No. Businesses and restaurants must make their own recycling arrangements with waste contractors – they can contact us on 0860 – 456 789.
- Plastic milk/drinks bottles and other containers
- Paper and cardboard (flattened and folded)
- Glass bottles and jars (no other glass)
- Metal drinks and food cans
- Juice or milk boxed containers
- Food waste, scraps and peelings
- Cling wrap, disposable nappies, toothpaste tubes
- Wet or contaminated paper and cardboard
- Old clothing and shoes
Place your bag of recyclables next to (or on top of) your wheelie-bin for collection on refuse removal day.
On the same day as your refuse is collected.
A new clear bag will be swopped for the bag of recyclables that you put out for collection. You can also use blue bags available at most supermarkets to start with.
Bottles with tops on keep plastic bottles full of air. This takes up a lot of space in bags and on collection vehicles. So take tops off and squeeze plastic bottles flat. The caps can then be added in with the recyclables, but not left on the bottles.
All paper, cardboard or plastic containers will be recycled. However, please remove excess food before placing the paper, cardboard or plastic container in recycling bag.
It is not absolutely necessary to rinse bottles – but do it with dishwater if you can – but the bottles must be emptied of remaining liquid before placing the bottle in the recycling bag.
Flatten cardboard boxes and place beside wheelie-bin.
No other glass except bottles can be put out for recycling.
No these can’t be recycled in our system and must not be put into the clear bag. Some retailers such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay or Spar have stores which can take them.
No – garden refuse must be taken to the City’s drop-off sites.
No. Businesses and restaurants must make their own recycling arrangements with contractors of their choice or they can contact us on 0860 – 456 786 or info@wastemart.co.za
