Extreme weather causes delays in Cape Town waste collection services
The Urban Waste Management Directorate in Cape Town has notified residents of delays in waste collection resulting from severe flooding.
The Urban Waste Management Directorate in Cape Town has reported delays in refuse collection caused by severe flooding, which has hindered the movement of their collection vehicles.
The Schaapkraal Drop-off facility has also been temporarily closed until further notice. The Directorate advises residents to leave their bins out each day until collection is completed, as delays are expected for the rest of the week.
Storms and flooding impact waste collection services
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued warnings for damaging winds and large waves along the Western Cape coast from Tuesday to Thursday.
This severe weather has caused significant delays in refuse collection across the city. The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is monitoring the situation closely and has teams on standby to respond to any incidents. Although no major incidents have been reported, low-lying areas remain waterlogged due to the record rainfall experienced in July.
Response and community advisory
Teams are currently working to clear the backlog that has developed due to the storm, but the ongoing rainy conditions are likely to continue causing delays. The Directorate has assured residents that every effort is being made to maintain the waste collection service delivery. Waste collections are currently delayed by one day in most areas, and teams will work over the weekend to clear any remaining backlogs by Friday, 30 August.
The Schaapkraal Drop-off site remains closed due to flooding. Residents are encouraged to hold onto their waste until the site reopens or to use alternative drop-off sites listed on the City of Cape Town’s website. The Directorate also reminds residents that recycling and composting can help reduce the amount of waste in their bins during this period.
With the storm expected to subside by Thursday, the City of Cape Town is hopeful that conditions will improve, allowing refuse collection services to return to their normal schedule.