The City of Cape Town is urging residents to cut down on festive season food waste, warning that reducing organic waste is vital to protect landfill space and the environment. As the festive season brings more celebrations and fuller tables, it also leads to a sharp increase in food going to waste — a trend the City of Cape Town is urging residents to reverse. The City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate is calling on households to take greater responsibility for how food waste is managed, warning that reducing organic waste is no longer optional but essential.
Provincial regulations now ban organic waste from landfills, making resident participation critical for compliance. Food and organic waste decomposing in landfills releases harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, while also accelerating the depletion of already limited landfill space. The City has warned that continued pressure on landfill sites could eventually require the development of new facilities.
Reducing food waste at home can also cut down on rodents and pests, while turning scraps into compost that benefits gardens and green spaces. To support these efforts, the City has rolled out compost bins to more than 10 communities during the year as part of its waste reduction strategy. Officials say the programme has seen encouraging uptake from residents, but stress that composting is just one of several ways households can make a difference.
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Residents are advised to plan meals according to the number of guests expected, avoid buying fresh produce too far in advance, and store food correctly to extend its lifespan. Dishing up only what can be eaten and repurposing leftovers into new meals are also highlighted as simple but effective ways to curb unnecessary waste. Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, said small household actions collectively have a major impact.
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