The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) proudly announces the successful implementation of new waste separation infrastructure at the Bellville Public Transport Interchange (PTI). This crucial step is part of the city-funded better. bellville. together. place-making initiative which is committed to revitalising the Bellville region and fostering a sustainable community.
better. bellville. together. is a place-making, economic development initiative utilises community assets, infrastructure and services to create safer, cleaner, and more attractive public spaces with the intention to promote the region’s well-being and investment opportunities. The project is funded by the City of Cape Town.
The newly introduced bin system, consisting of twenty sorting bins, aims to reduce litter and promote waste separation. The colour-coded bins – red, yellow, and green – are designed for specific waste categories. Green bins are for food waste and compostable materials, yellow bins for recyclable materials, and red bins for non-recyclable waste destined for landfills.
Candice Mostert, founder of Waste-ED and waste project team lead for better. bellville. together. initiative explains the importance of the new bins. “The Bellville PTI currently sends between 7.5 and 10 tonnes of mixed waste to landfill per month. By implementing simple waste separation infrastructure and practices like waste education and these new bins, we estimate that 0.5 to 1 tonne of food waste and two to three tonnes of recyclables can be diverted to local solutions every month, showcasing the huge potential of this programme.”
The success of the new bin system at PTI is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives across Bellville’s Central Business District and eventually nationwide, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.
A bin-credible transformation
To complement the bin system, PTI cleaners have received training on proper waste separation practices, ensuring efficient waste management. Two waste diversion solutions have also been implemented including a daily local recycling collection and a local organics collection plan with solid waste management.
Together, this initiative has already seen impressive results, since kicking off in February last year, the better.bellville.together. initiative has seen 9 tons of recyclable waste diverted from landfill as well as 52.8 tons of organic waste such as food scraps and garden material from local businesses and civic places. Resources have been recycled locally and used for compost at The Bellville Life Changing Garden.
“We need to act now as we are in a waste crisis,” urged Mostert. “By embracing local solutions and educating the community, we can build strong, resilient, and sustainable communities, whilst boosting the circular economy, reducing our carbon footprint and creating a litter free city that everyone is proud to live and work in.”
The success of the new bin system at PTI is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives across Bellville’s Central Business District and eventually nationwide, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.
Get involved!
You can support #lesswaste to landfill in Bellville by sponsoring public separation bins or join the efforts to separate organics and recyclable waste by buying your own organics recycling kit. Contact info@bettertogether.africa or visit www.bettertogether.africa for more information.
