Staff Reporter|Published 13 hours agoThe City of Cape Town’s 2026/27 budget has set aside R488 million for equipment and infrastructure used for waste management. In addition, the Urban Waste Management Directorate is planning for a further R1.72 billion in capital expenditure over the 2028 and 2029 financial years to cater for the growing city. The 2026/27 expenditure includes:R346 million to upgrade plant/replace vehicles to sustain quality collection, cleansing and disposal servicesR12 million for infrastructure to prevent landfill gas emissions at Coastal Park and Vissershok North and reduce human induced climate change, and generate energyR25 million for depot upgrades to ensure compliance with operational health and safety legislation and to reduce the potential for service disruptions.R2.5 million to replace shipping containers in informal settlementsSome of the major projects and expenses budgeted or planned over the next three years include:R1.2 billion to purchase refuse removal vehicles and plant to ensure a reliable service, including refuse trucks, crane trucks, refuse collectors, tipper trucks, street sweepers, flatbed trucks, landfill compactors, bulldozers, front-end loaders, water tankers, and moreR203 Million to develop extra airspace at Vissershok landfill to increase its available capacityR152 million to upgrade depots R135 million for a new refuse transfer station at Coastal Park landfillR158 million to upgrade existing drop-off sites and develop new drop-offs to help prevent dumping in communities and provide access to recycling servicesR123 million for infrastructure to prevent landfill gas from entering the atmosphere and convert it into electricityR45 million to refurbish Kraaifontein Materials Recovery Facility and develop materials recovery infrastructure at Athlone Refuse Transfer Station so that less or recyclable waste go to the landfillR7.5 million to replace shipping containers for waste in informal settlements"This budget is an investment in the basic services that keep Cape Town clean, healthy and functioning," said mayco member for Urban Waste Management Grant Twigg. "Over the next three years, we are prioritising the vehicles, equipment and infrastructure needed to strengthen refuse collection and cleansing, expand access to drop-off and recycling services, secure future landfill capacity and generate electricity from landfill gas."However, a cleaner city cannot be achieved through municipal investment alone. Residents and businesses also have an important role to play by using the services provided, avoiding, reducing and recycling waste, and never dumping or littering."Every responsible action helps protect our communities, our environment and the public resources we all share."Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.Cape Argus