“On average, each person produces about 3.5 kilograms of waste material per day,” stated Saliem Haider, Director of Waste Management at the Western Cape’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. He reminded the audience, “and all waste has to go somewhere.”
The Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) and various partners celebrated the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Regional Landfill site that will be established in Worcester.
The Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, shared that it has taken many years to bring this project to fruition. “It has indeed been a challenging journey, filled with obstacles and hurdles. Yet, through perseverance, dedication, and unwavering commitment, we have overcome these challenges. Today, we stand tall, and I am proud of each official who has been part of this journey. The resilience of our efforts exemplifies what governance and commitment to service delivery should be.”
The state-of-the-art landfill site will serve the areas of Breede Valley, Witzenberg, and Langeberg. The project, which will cost approximately R104 million, is built on the same principles as the Overberg Region’s site at Karwyderskraal, just outside Hermanus, which has been hailed as a world-class facility. “Modern landfill sites, such as Karwyderskraal and the new one planned for the Cape Winelands, are the result of many years of research and are required by legislation to be environmentally responsible,” Mr. Haider noted. He emphasized that landfill sites should be the last resort, used only for the appropriate kinds of waste.
“Waste elimination begins at its source—in each household, each business, and each government body. Only waste that cannot be reused or recycled should be sent to the landfill site,” Haider added.
The sod-turning is an auspicious occasion as it marks the start of a new era in waste management in the Cape Winelands District. The contractor, Burger and Wallace Construction, aims to deliver the first load to the site by mid-2025.
The CWDM will launch an extensive awareness campaign later this year to enhance mutual understanding of the roles and responsibilities of residents, stakeholders, and partners in effective waste management.
