STAFF REPORTER
Turning your household waste into liquid gold for your garden has never been easier.
A study conducted by the City of Cape Town in 2014 on the effectiveness of the new composting bin showed that in four months, residents participating in the study prevented nearly 13 tons of organic waste from ending up in landfills (“Bin turns rubbish into rands”, Sentinel, April 1).
Now the City is inviting homeowners across the Mother City to apply for a free home-composting container.
Mayco member for utility services, Ernest Sonnenberg said the roll-out of the programme was approved by the Utility Services Portfolio Committee on Monday April 4.
In an attempt to become a zero waste society, the City has made 5 000 free home-composting bins available. However, due to the limited number of bins available, residents are advised to act fast by submitting an application to secure a bin.
Residents can contact the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089 to request an application form or collect one from the sub-council office or walk-in centre. Alternatively, residents can request an application form by sending an email to wastewise@capetown.gov.za or download it from the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/en/Solid waste2/Pages/Home-composting-application-forms.aspx
Residents will need to provide a copy of their ID or passport and once the City has checked that a few simple qualification criteria are met, a brand-new home-composting set will be delivered within 30 days.
“This will include your home-composting container and a two-litre container for temporarily storing organic kitchen waste indoors before composting, along with all the necessary information to guide you in the process,” Mr Sonnenberg said.
Only single residences and sectional title properties currently qualify for this roll-out and homeowners are to complete the application. However, tenants can ask their landlords to countersign the application form which means that the property owner is taking responsibility for the composter, as it is to be connected to the applicant’s municipal account.
“I strongly encourage any homeowner with a garden to apply for a home-composting unit as they will very soon see the benefits. Not only will it mean less waste going into your bin and then to landfill sites, but gardens will benefit too. There is also the indirect benefit of saving water, as plants need less irrigation when there is good mulch to protect the moisture in the earth,” Mr Sonnenberg said.
