Practical, in-depth guides on recycling and buyback in Cape Town — from sorting your bin to the City's waste strategy.
Recycling & BuybackPacka-Ching turns your sorted recyclables into cash loaded straight onto a wallet. Here's exactly how a buyback day works and how to get the best return.
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Climate & National StrategySouth Africa has a national plan for tackling waste. Here's what the National Waste Management Strategy says, without the jargon.
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Circular Economy & JobsThe circular economy keeps materials in use instead of throwing them away. Here's what it means in practice for Cape Town.
Read articleCity Policy & BylawsSeparation at source is the foundation of Cape Town's recycling drive. Here's what it means, why it matters, and how to do it.
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Plastics & PolycoThe two most valuable household plastics are PET and HDPE. Learn to tell them apart, prepare them properly, and earn more at the buyback.
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Material StreamsGlass can be recycled forever without losing quality. Here's how glass recycling works and how to do it right in Cape Town.
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Composting & OrganicsFood and garden waste makes up a big share of household rubbish. Composting turns it into free, rich soil. Here's how to start.
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Schools & EducationA school recycling club builds lifelong habits, cleans up the campus and can even raise funds. Here's a step-by-step guide to starting one.
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Community & TownshipsIn one of Cape Town's most densely populated areas, recycling is becoming a source of income, cleaner streets and pride. Here's how.
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Recycling & BuybackNew to recycling? This friendly, no-jargon guide shows Cape Town households how to set up a simple system that actually works.
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Circular Economy & JobsThe recycling industry is a genuine source of jobs and careers. Here's a look at the range of green work the sector creates.
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City Policy & BylawsCape Town's waste bylaw sets the rules for how waste must be handled. Here's a plain-language look at what it means for residents and businesses.
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Plastics & PolycoPacka-Ching is a mobile recycling buyback that brings cash-for-recyclables right into the community. Here's the full story behind it.
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Climate & National StrategyRecycling isn't just about litter — it's a genuine climate action. Here's how recovering materials cuts greenhouse gas emissions.
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Material StreamsPaper and cardboard are among the most recycled materials in the world. Here's how the process works and how to maximise their value.
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Schools & EducationRefuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle — the 5 Rs are a simple, powerful framework for teaching children to live with less waste.
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Community & TownshipsBehind every bale of recyclables are people. Meet the collectors of Joe Slovo who keep the circular economy turning, one bag at a time.
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Composting & OrganicsWe've focused on recycling packaging, but organic waste is the biggest prize for diversion. Here's why it matters so much.
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Recycling & BuybackFrom PET bottles to cardboard and cans, here's a clear rundown of the materials we buy back, how to prepare them, and what affects the price.
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Circular Economy & JobsRecycling offers a real path to entrepreneurship with low barriers to entry. Here's a practical starter guide for aspiring recyclers.
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City Policy & BylawsZero waste is an ambitious goal — and Cape Town is steadily building towards it. Here's what the journey looks like and how you fit in.
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Plastics & PolycoEPR makes producers responsible for the packaging they put on the market. Here's what it means, why it matters, and how it funds recycling.
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Material StreamsMetals are among the most valuable recyclables, and aluminium is the star. Here's why metal recycling matters so much.
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Community & TownshipsBody corporates and complexes generate a lot of recyclable waste. Here's a practical playbook for setting up recycling that residents actually use.
Read articleClimate & National StrategyLandfills are a major source of methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Here's the climate cost of burying our waste.
Read articleSchools & EducationRecyclables have cash value — which means your school can fund projects while teaching pupils about the environment. Here's how to set it up.
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Recycling & BuybackThe single biggest factor in what you earn from recycling isn't the rate — it's preparation. Master these habits and watch your payout grow.
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Composting & OrganicsThe Western Cape is restricting organic waste to landfill. Here's what the move means for households, businesses and the environment.
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Circular Economy & JobsFollow a plastic bottle from a household bin to a new product, and meet everyone who adds value along the way.
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City Policy & BylawsCape Town's landfills are running out of space, and new ones are hard to build. Diversion isn't optional — it's urgent. Here's why.
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Plastics & PolycoThat little triangle with a number isn't a promise that something is recyclable. Here's what each plastic code really means.
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Material StreamsOld phones, computers and appliances contain valuable materials and hazardous substances. Here's how to handle e-waste responsibly.
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Community & TownshipsA clean-up that leaves no lasting change is a missed opportunity. Here's how to run drives that shift habits, not just collect litter for a day.
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Schools & EducationSmall changes in the classroom can dramatically cut waste and model sustainability for pupils. Here's a practical guide for teachers.
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Recycling & BuybackRecyclables are a real, accessible income stream. Here's how Capetonians are building side-hustles — and even livelihoods — from waste.
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Climate & National StrategyRecycling connects to global goals for a better world. Here's how managing waste well advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Circular Economy & JobsWhy are some materials worth more than others? What drives recycling prices? A plain-language look at the economics behind buyback.
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City Policy & BylawsIllegal dumping blights communities, harms health and clogs drains. Understanding why it happens points the way to stopping it.
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Plastics & PolycoSoft plastics like shopping bags and packaging film are often binned, but clean film is a valuable, recyclable resource. Here's why.
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Material StreamsBeverage cartons combine paper, plastic and foil, which makes them tricky to recycle. Here's the truth about cartons and how to handle them.
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Composting & OrganicsThere's no single right way to compost. Here's a comparison of the main methods to help you choose what fits your home and lifestyle.
Read articleCommunity & TownshipsInformal collectors recover a huge share of South Africa's recyclables. Recognising and supporting their work is both just and smart.
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Schools & EducationYoung people are among the most powerful voices for change. Here's how Cape Town's youth are leading on waste — and how to empower them.
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Recycling & BuybackA local guide to recycling options across Cape Town's northern suburbs — from buyback centres and drop-offs to mobile buyback days.
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City Policy & BylawsSmall recycling enterprises and buyback centres are vital to Cape Town's waste goals. Here's how policy and partnership support them.
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Plastics & PolycoPolyco is one of the driving forces behind growing plastics recycling in SA. Here's how it works and what it means for communities.
Read articleClimate & National StrategySouth Africa is shifting from a throwaway economy to a circular one. Here's the vision, the progress and the road ahead.
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Material StreamsNot everything can be recycled. Knowing what can't — and what to do instead — keeps recycling clean and effective.
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Community & TownshipsA buyback day brings recycling, income and energy into a community. Here's what happens on the day and how to make the most of it.
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Recycling & BuybackEven well-meaning recyclers slip up. Avoid these common mistakes to keep your recyclables valuable and out of landfill.
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