Waste Management in Cape Town

February 27, 2012 / by  / 2 Comments / Filed under Swop Shop

Foot print mess

Footprints recycling centre overloaded

I was reading an article on Urban Sprout; Cape Town Recycling in Crisis and really felt saddened that The City appears not to be able to resolve its waste and recycling problems. So I had a look around to see what some of the other big cities around the globe are doing and was pleasantly surprised. Barcelona, New york and London have a pneumatic network for garbage collection. The original article came from The Architects Newspaper – The Art of Moving Trash – Cities are reevaluating waste infrastructure with planning, technology, and design. Now this is exciting!

Here’s more information from the original article, about what this garbage collection system in Barcelona does:

“The city currently has three ecoparks that manage 60 percent of the waste produced by the city and provide enough energy for its own electricity needs with a plan to support some 800 nearby housing units as well. Guided tours of the plant are becoming a popular education destination.”

Trash Carry AwayTrash Carry Away 5Pneumatic tube collection portals in London (left) and a diagram of collection points in cities like Barcelona (top).

COURTESY ENVAC


In Roosevelt Island’s Pneumatic Tubes and the Future of Cities article they ask… “What if we radically changed the way we move garbage through the city?” Check out Gregory Whitmore’s AVAC System, DVD.

Wow! What if we could have this kind of system in Cape Town?

2 Comments

  1. Rauliane
    March 13, 2012

    Great ideas and conversation. Another great idea that I cnonat take credit for (it is actually Tim’s) is using recyclables in art. There are a number of very creative website is if you google it and Tim knows of someone who is creating counter tops with glass bottles. I will be doing the local curbside for ease and to support the local business. In the meantime my recycling pile has gotten out of control and needs to be purged does anyone know of a front range recycling center? I am also interested in composting as well to reduce waster however I live in a Condo and have nothing to do with the compost are there any community gardens that would use it?

  2. Fieldy
    March 13, 2012

    I have dillegently ecrycled all my materials for many years even out to the landfill site when all other locations have shut down. I find it very important to continue the recyle, but when you here about the plastics bin gone, and you drive 36 miles round trip to recylce and end up taking your plastics home with you, I can’t see how that has helped the eco friendly attempt or the carbon footprint.I would be interested in some compost ideas also.Thanks to all who have put much effort into keeping the recycle idea alive.Keep up the good work!!Dedicated to Recycle no matter what it takes.


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