New Fisantekraal Community Recycling Facility planned to curb illegal dumping

The City of Cape Town said it has made progress in establishing a Community Recycling Facility in Fisantekraal, a development that has been well-received by community organisations.

This project aims to improve access to recycling services and combat illegal dumping.

Fisantekraal is among the few remaining areas without a municipal recycling drop-off point within a 7km radius, according to the City. 

The proposed facility, to be located on Erf 1985 in Dullah Omar Street, will accept a range of materials, including paper, plastics, glass, metals, e-waste, builders’ rubble, and mixed household waste.

The project also forms part of the City’s investment in local waste management infrastructure, designed to make responsible waste disposal more convenient and to divert recyclable materials away from landfill sites.

The design of the new facility is in its final stages. Once completed, technical and legal documents will be submitted to the City’s planning and building development management section for approval. If all goes according to plan, the City said construction is expected to be completed in the 2027/28 financial year.

Following public consultations, several design changes were made. Residents had raised concerns about possible traffic congestion along Dullah Omar Street, prompting planners to move the main entrance to Boy Briers Drive to improve traffic flow and reduce disruption to nearby homes, the City stated. Additional design adjustments were also made to enhance the site’s visual appeal.

Mayoral committee member for urban waste management, Grant Twigg, said: “The new Fisantekraal facility will provide residents with a safe and convenient location to dispose of recyclable materials responsibly. By improving access to recycling services, we are helping to reduce illegal dumping and extend the life of our landfill sites.”

Janessa Stockhall, the director of Village Action Network, a non-profit company that operates in Fisantekraal and Durbanville, believed that the facility would be of benefit to the community.

“Fisantekraal has an ongoing problem with illegal dumping. I think the hope is that this facility will help with the litter, provide potential incomes for people who can collect recycling and sell to the plant, and then finally, provide some local employment.”

The Mosselbank River Conservation Team, a non-profit organisation that protects wetlands and promotes environmental education in Fisantekraal and Greenville, added that the facility will mark a step closer to creating a cleaner, greener neighbourhood. 

“We hope it will inspire positive change in waste behaviour, helping residents see the real value in recycling instead of illegally dumping. Every item recycled means less litter in our public open spaces, and ultimately, less pollution ending up in our rivers and natural areas. Together, we can make a lasting difference for the environment we all share,” said Danielle Cronje, the director of the organisation. 

Further updates on the project will be shared with the community as it progresses through the design and approval phases.