Cape Town's #SpringCleanCT Campaign Tackles Community Littering and Illegal Dumping

Cape Town’s community-led clean-up campaign, #SpringCleanCT, involving the City's Directorate of Urban Waste Management, is in full swing and has so far seen more than 800 bags of trash eliminated from various areas across the city. In a concerted effort to encourage citizens to act against illegal waste dumping and littering, the initiative has managed to unite distinct community organizations, individual residents, and businesses.

Urban Waste Management Mayco member, Grant Twigg, emphasized the gravity of illegal dumping, asserting, "Littering and dumping are often rationalized as ways of creating jobs, but the impact on community health and wellbeing is overlooked." He further highlighted the need for everyone to partake in the campaign, urging residents to contribute to creating more positive environments by organizing clean-ups and reporting violators.

Additionally, Mr. Twigg mentioned the provision of a free, 24-hour hotline (0800 110077) for residents to report illegal dumping activities. Any pertinent tip-off leading to an arrest would make the informer eligible for a reward.

Simultaneously, in light of International Coastal Cleanup Day, several beaches across the nation, including those around Robben Island, have been combed for trash by environmentalists, corporate representatives, and the general public. The event promotes the preservation of our oceans and is observed on September 16 every year.

Significant participants included local entities as well as multinational corporations such as Two Oceans Marathon, South African Breweries, and Coca-Cola. Helen Lockhart, the Two Oceans Aquarium Conservation and Sustainability manager, underscored the importance of beach clean-ups, reminding us of our duty towards maintaining a healthy natural environment and contributing data to scientific research.