WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK

TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

Making sustainable living a reality in Cape Town homes

WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

in Cape Town homes Capein Town

Making sustainable living a reality HANDBOOK SMART LIVING LIVING SMART Published by the City of Cape Town 5th edition, June 2020

More information available from: Environmental Management Department 7th floor 44 Wale Street Cape Town 8001 South Africa Tel: 021 487 2284 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.capetown.gov.za/environment © City of Cape Town ISBN 978-0-9802784-7-7

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this book at the time of publication, and to acknowledge photographs correctly. The City of Cape Town accepts no responsibility and will not be liable for any errors or omissions contained herein.

If you have any comments, suggestions or updates, please e-mail us at [email protected] or [email protected]. WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 3 1 274 281

131 257 241 231 109 117 our city heritage your home HERITAGE environment Importance of Importance Introduction to to Introduction Environment in in Environment Environment at at Environment neighbourhood in your home or in your home or ENVIRONMENT Exploring heritage Exploring heritage Heritage in our city

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

77 51 66 198 173 184 WASTE ENERGY to energy in our city Introduction Introduction Energy in our city Energy Responsible waste waste Responsible Waste management management Waste Energy in your home Energy Introduction to waste Introduction management at home management at

9 20 13 19 166 157 159

WATER of water transport Importance Importance TRANSPORT Importance of Importance Water in our city Water What you can do What Our water footprint Our water Transport in the city Transport Water in your home Water GLOSSARY ABBREVIATIONS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION “WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE AND DEVELOP SUSTAINABLY IN A WORLD OF FINITE RESOURCES.”

– ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU, 2009 WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 3 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART But while Cape Town undoubtedly undoubtedly Town But while Cape capacity for resilience showed a strong it would be less in the face of drought, objectively the city is that to argue easy if had What there to drought. resilient of low year been a fourth extremely already ifWhat sectors, certain rainfall? such as food issues, by chronic strained suffered insecurity and unemployment, collapse in the an unprecedented from ifWhat midst of Covid-19 drought? the the same time as the had arrived at drought? from on and learn must reflect We new actions to take our challenges, and apply new resilience, improve solutions to knowledge and innovative It is in this context shock events. future Strategy Resilience Town the Cape that for a 21st-century a roadmap offers city, is a vibrant Town Cape metropolis. many home to a diversity of people, here, ofborn and raised whom were and many of here, whom migrated our that by the opportunities drawn is also the Town Cape city has to offer. of ofdestination hundreds thousands who come to of visitors every year, our world-class beaches, experience and vineyards fynbos, mountains, and this vibrancy Tempering culture. of a range are however, opportunity, system-wide challenges posed by one- time shocks. For more information on the City’s on the City’s information more For other key Strategy, Resilience documents and the IDP, strategic . go to www.capetown.gov.za INTRODUCTION of the heart building at are Capetonians out of have emerged We resilience. of ofhundreds years oppression racial and and apartheid, under colonialism the legacies of with continue to grapple Much work remains past. our traumatic to with regard especially to be done, At building city-wide social cohesion. able to we have been though, times, a collective come together to confront again when we proved This challenge. consumption down water we drove during the 2016–2018 drought has crisis – the worst the city region history. in recorded experienced was Strategy Water Town Cape The and the April 2019, adopted in the end towards Strategy Resilience of was in the aftermath This of 2019. during which dramatically the drought, in a row, years for three low rainfall had change, by climate exacerbated uncomfortably Capetonians brought of close to the reality the taps running tested the severely episode The dry. ofresilience our city and its people. societal a comprehensive Through due to the heroic not least response, of households and businesses efforts the worst-case consumption, to reduce scenario was avoided. Therefore, building urban resilience This, in turn, requires resources and requires looking at a city holistically, tools that educate, raise awareness and understanding the interdependencies communicate ways and pathways for citizens between shocks and stresses. Resilience to adopt more resource-efficient practices is what helps cities adapt and transform in and to make more sustainable choices. the face of these challenges, helping them This Smart Living Handbook is one of prepare for both the expected and the the City’s tools to guide Capetonians in unexpected. Recognising this, resilience is becoming more resilient and live a more a guiding principle and expected outcome sustainable life. Every time you switch of the City’s most recent Integrated on a light, drive your car, run a bath or Development Plan (IDP). put out your rubbish, you’re making a Taking action to proactively manage our decision that affects the environment. city’s challenges and interdependencies, Natural resources – water, coal, oil, land, and leveraging our resources and fresh air – will run out if we consume them investments towards resilience-building faster than they can replenish themselves. initiatives, will ultimately produce There are many indications that this is multiple benefits. This is known as “the already happening. Households have a resilience dividend”, the “difference in significant cumulative impact. To make value between a resilience approach and sure that there are enough resources to business-as-usual – the ‘bonus’ we receive go around – enough for both current and from investing in a project designed to future generations – we need to manage build resilience”. our resources well, using what we have, efficiently and fairly. Taking an integrated approach to planning for disruptions, even if they do not occur, Many of us know that we should be doing can create new opportunities that offer this, but are often unsure about what to do social, environmental and economic and how to do it. This handbook aims to benefits for our city and people. provide you with information and practical actions to implement – to protect the Building our resilience supports the City’s environment, save money and make your sustainability goals. Sustainability and the home a safer place to live in. Collectively, realisations of the United Nations Sustainable we can make a difference and become Development Goals (SDGs) are dependent more resilient. on informed and empowered citizens.

4 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 5

The

Smart Living Handbook, areSmart Smart Driving Training Manual. Training Driving Smart All of these resources, including including All of these resources, the available for download from www.capetown.gov.za. living. for: greener Search SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Smart Living Living the Smart Subsequently, by was developed Handbook Environmental AMATHEMBA and Management Consulting Africa on the City’s Sustainable Energy AMATHEMBA’s based on It was behalf. Management Home Environmental Ward’s Guide Book and Sarah published and was first Book, Energy in 2007. were reprints and Minor updates In 2010/11, done in 2008 and 2009. and Icologie Greening Steadfast and update an extensive undertook of review and compiled the handbook Events the complementary Smart Handbook. Office Handbook and Smart the City again initiated In 2018, Greening, by Steadfast an update with another two chapters added. Additional complementary resources namely the Smart also compiled, were Home, Your Audit Guide for Living and Home Safety Guide, Cooking Smart Audit Guide for Early Living Smart and , Childhood Development Centres the The City has a partnership with the with the has a partnership City The is City ofAachen in Germany that at promoting specifically aimed in a practical sustainable development projects One of the partnership’s way. was the Town implemented in Cape with families 21 Households Project and Manenberg Khayelitsha, from In the course of a year, Wynberg. about households met monthly to learn practical, sustainable living through outings. and workshops interactive homes done in their Eco-audits were and end of to the start at the project that determine the main focus areas as well as the had to be addressed, eventual impact of the training. success a great was project The It was in the local communities. and in all areas, in different repeated they households felt that instances, better to make had been empowered their would improve decisions that The lives and benefit the environment. households believed that participating to get the message it was important and community, to the broader across notes be the workshop suggested that printed in a handbook format. BACKGROUND BACKGROUND THE TO HANDBOOK’S CREATION Different types of households are faced HOW TO with different environmental issues. USE THIS For example, high-income households may find that they are high consumers HANDBOOK of electricity and need to explore ways to reduce their consumption. Informal We would all like to make good choices households, on the other hand, may when it comes to managing our homes find that their greatest problem is – good choices for our health, safety and householders’ health and safety due to pocket, but also for the environment. the unsafe use of energy. We hope this This handbook contains some useful handbook will be relevant and useful to information and handy tips to help you all Cape Town homes. If a section does not make the best choices to reduce your seem to relate to your issues, simply move energy and water consumption and waste on to the next one or explore and consider output. It also provides information on the issues facing you and your household. how to keep our natural world as strong and diverse as possible. Each chapter provides the following information: The handbook is divided into six chapters: Water, Waste, Environment, Transport, Check The key challenges relating to Energy and Heritage. The book contains the resource a lot of information, so we recommend Check What the City is doing to manage the that you give yourself sufficient time to resource or issue work through it. Attempting to read all Check What you can do in your home to help the chapters together, and trying out all conserve the resource the new actions at once, could be difficult. Perhaps start with reading the summary of Check Contacts and information sources, and each chapter and decide which chapter steps for implementation interests you the most or will give you what Activities and pictures are provided to you need to make smart decisions in your help you interact with the issues, as well as home, and then begin. for easy reference. Safety and health issues are also addressed in each of the chapters. And since community organisation and activity are vital for good governance, the handbook contains information on some interesting initiatives in Cape Town’s civil society as well.

6 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 7

Solid Waste Management Management Solid Waste Department Planning and Environment Spatial Directorate: Management Environmental Department Planning Department Transport Corporate Services Directorate: Services Directorate: Corporate Department, Communication Branch Publication Change and Climate Energy Directorate: Markets Sustainable Energy Department and Water Informal Settlements, Services Directorate: Waste Department, and Sanitation Water SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Transport Directorate:

Check Check ­L­ ACKNOW EDGEMENTS as this requires a book such Compiling various input and advice from research, to all who grateful are We sources. to the information have contributed contained in this handbook. of word goes to staff special thanks A following City directorates the from and departments: Check Check Check

and resilient. in making in making Play your part Cape Town more resource-savvy resource-savvy more Town Cape Guided by the information shared in in shared the information Guided by a difference we can all make this book, and energy- Water smarter. by living available from are saving products and suppliers stores most hardware of or lighting devices in plumbing waste many are There Town. Cape schools and at initiatives recycling so consult your in communities, details. for more community newspaper available are products Many “green” Map Green Town locally – visit Cape for www.capetowngreenmap.co.za at local nurseries Our information. more with indigenous well stocked are plants and will be able to guide you on those best suited to your local area. contact Kirstenbosch for Alternatively, information. more WATER

Water is a scarce natural resource complex, particularly in an area where on which all life on Earth depends. rainfall is unpredictable. The City of We need to protect it and use it Cape Town works with residents to ensure with care and respect. Providing sustainable services, and to become water services in an urban context is an even more water-wise city.

8 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 9 Water keeps us fit and us fit and keeps Water diving, Swimming, entertained. surfing and sailing water-skiing, some of are the things you Water-based can do in water. way to an excellent are sports for instance, Swimming, stay fit. uses almost all the muscles a in your body and provides full-body workout. Commerce and industry need and industry need Commerce is essential for Water water. operations buildings, commercial Particularly and manufacturing. large use industries often heavy amounts of for cooling or water in their operations. Nature needs water. Plants Plants needs water. Nature and sunlight to need water they so that photosynthesise, Agriculture their food. can create irrigation for crop water requires animals hydrated. and keeping our to keep need water We in bloom. and green gardens Water is important for for is important Water wash our need it to hygiene. We and keep bodies and clothes, brushing From our homes clean. and nurses to doctors our teeth, is water washing their hands, for hygiene. important SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Every living thing needs water living thing needs water Every plants, All people, to survive. – all insects and birds animals, to survive. – need water creatures for our health. is important Water cell in our body requires Every must constantly be adding We it. to our body water clean fresh, it properly to keep in order can live for weeks We hydrated. days but only three without food, without water.

Less than 3% of all water on Earth 3% of than on Earth Less all water small and only a water, is fresh 0,3%) of (around this is percentage in surface water available for use as Most of this easily rivers and dams. being used is already available water and polluted by human activity. is one of of hundreds Town Cape by the world affected cities across on by climate brought scarcity water and we face an even drier change, we security, water greater For future. our rain- on can no longer solely rely is too, is why the City, This fed dams. sources, new from its water now getting water recycled such as groundwater, to ensure water, sea and desalinated to come we and generations that can continue to live and thrive in our city. beautiful why water reasons just a few are Here is precious: Check Check IMPORTANCE IMPORTANCE OF WATER For these and many other reasons, we need to use water with care and protect THE NATURAL our water resources and infrastructure. WATER CYCLE This includes preventing wastage or pollution of water sources and our rivers, AND RAINFALL streams, canals and vleis (wetlands). IN THE INTRODUCTION CAPE TOWN TO NATURAL CATCHMENT AND URBAN AREA Water on Earth evaporates to become WATER water vapour, which forms clouds. When SYSTEMS this cools down, it condensates to become heavy raindrops, which fall down to The water that runs from your tap has the Earth as rain. Along with rain, other travelled a long way and is part of a much types of precipitation include hail, snow larger natural water cycle and urban water and dew. management system. Traditionally, Cape Your water can come from hundreds of Town relied on surface water in the form kilometres away as water vapour that of rainwater and other precipitation1 in our evaporated off our shores due to the catchment areas, flowing into our dams. sun’s heat. Water vapour rises, cools But rainfall is increasingly unreliable, and condenses to form clouds off the which is why the City is now diversifying ocean and falls as rain on the mountains its water sources to include groundwater, surrounding Cape Town. From there, it desalinated sea water and recycled water. runs down mountain streams and rivers to be stored in one of the dams supplying Cape Town and surrounding areas.

Unlike most of South Africa, Cape Town receives most of its rain in winter. Typically, however, Capetonians have used more water in the hot, dry and windy summer months, irrigating their gardens and topping up their pools.

1 Water Services and the Cape Town Urban Water Cycle, August 2018.

10 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE PRECIPITATION CONDENSATION EVAPORATION Rainfall in Cape Town is not only unpredictable, but also uneven over the PROTECTING greater Cape Town metro area because OUR of the presence of the mountains. Rainfall is highest on or close to mountainous FRESHWATER areas. Clouds that form over the mountains when the southeastern wind ECOSYSTEMS blows also contribute to precipitation. Not only do we live in a water-stressed Table Mountain’s famous “tablecloth” country, but about 80% of South Africa’s dampens the top of the mountain, and rivers are classified as threatened by this precipitation helps keep streams and urban development. We need to protect springs flowing from the mountain for our freshwater ecosystems. Human much of the year. activities, such as industry, settlement and recreation are popular along ecologically Some of the rainwater seeps into the sensitive “green corridors”, such as ground to become groundwater and floodplains and wetlands, and should be can be stored in naturally occurring carefully managed. underground water bodies called “aquifers”. Other water gathers in streams, Water bodies, and particularly wetlands, rivers or canals and is referred to as play a very important role by controlling “surface runoff”. This surface water flows the flow of water, filtering impurities and down catchment areas and is collected in replenishing groundwater. Wetlands dams that supply our urban water needs. naturally absorb greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change. The main catchment areas for Cape Natural vegetation in these areas should Town’s dams are the mountain fynbos be protected, as it maintains biodiversity areas located to the east and northeast and reduces surface runoff, soil erosion of the city, including the Hottentots and the risk of flooding. However, alien Holland, Riviersonderend, Wemmershoek, invasive vegetation is water-intensive and Wellington and Porterville mountain should be removed as far as possible. ranges. Table Mountain is also a catchment area, although these days, it contributes less than 1% of Cape Town’s total water supply.

12 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 13 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Different spheres of spheres government Different In terms of national involved. are Department the national legislation, and Water of Human Settlements, called) (as it is currently Sanitation resource for water is responsible the City, Town, In Cape management. is both a water as the municipality, services and a water services provider in it is involved means which authority, and managing water both providing to is unusual compared This services. African municipalities. other South Examples ofExamples alien common lots of consume plants that silver wattle, include the water oleander, claw creeper, cat’s watercress, willow, Jackson Port and weeping willow grass, kikuyu oak. silky for tree, One adult black wattle consume up to can instance, while of per day, 200 litres water even use eucalyptus (gum trees) because of more their ability to (30-50 m) and deep roots grow effectively. suck up groundwater

Invasive alien plants directly directly Invasive alien plants security, our water threaten productive ecosystems and the intensify They use of our land. the impact of and floods, fires and absorb soil erosion increase enormous amounts of water dams. it can flow into our before WHY ARE ARE WHY ALIEN INVASIVE SPECIES PLANT PROBLEM? A THAT SERVES SERVES THAT TOWN CAPE supply system brings water large A with your to your tap and deals water Town. in urban Cape wastewater WATER IN OUR CITY WATER THE WATER SYSTEM SUPPLY From 1850, surface and spring water was The approximately 4 000 employees of the stored to serve the growing population City’s Water and Sanitation Department of Cape Town. With the Mother City serve over four million Capetonians. These falling in a winter rainfall region, storage include more than 1 100 operational staff had to be provided for the dry summer who are on-call 24 hours a day, seven months. The City’s 2019 Water Strategy days a week. At the time of compiling this contains information on Cape Town’s water publication (2019), the City was serving supply history. more than 662 000 metered customers, growing at a rate of about 8 500 per year. Moreover, approximately 181 000 Turn to “CONTACTS AND informal households were being served RESOURCES” at the end of this with different kinds of toilet facilities chapter for a link to the strategy. and standpipes close to their homes. Advanced pressure management reduces leaks and waste. Wastewater is reused These days, Cape Town forms part of where possible and safely discharged into the Western Cape water supply system about 2 400 kilometres of waterways we (WCWSS), which gets its water from a manage, and into aquifer recharge points network of six major rain-fed dams that and out to sea. supply the region. The WCWSS covers the West Coast District Municipality and the local municipalities of Drakenstein, HOW CAPE Stellenbosch and Witzenberg. Cape Town uses approximately 64% of the WCWSS TOWN BECAME water, agriculture uses about 29%, and other smaller towns about 7%. The national THE WORLD’S department manages the three largest TOP WATER- dams in the system, which contribute 85% of the system storage, while the City SAVING CITY manages the other three. The system In response to the drought crisis in Cape is connected through a complex set of Town, water usage was drastically reduced. pipelines, canals and tunnels that are Daily water use levels dropped from a managed jointly by National Government peak summer consumption of about and the City to maximise water yield. 1 200 million litres per day in 2015 to Apart from the three large dams in the about 500–600 million litres per day by WCWSS, the City also manages eight small early 2018. An Olympic-sized swimming dams, 35 reservoirs, 785 pump stations, pool requires 2,5 million litres of water. 35 treatment plants, 38 maintenance This means that Cape Town reduced depots and more than 20 300 kilometres its consumption from about 480 such of pipelines and tunnels. swimming pools of water each day to 208, in less than three years.

14 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 15 . Sufficient, reliable water reliable water Sufficient, diverse sources from of supply, bulk water including groundwater and reuse aquifers, from of the desalination sea water benefits from Shared resources water regional of the transition Facilitation to becoming a “water- sensitive city” in the longer term SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” CONTACTS Check Check Check is being strategy The implemented through a the Find approach. collaborative under Strategy Water link to the “ WHAT ARE ARE WHAT OUR WATER AND RIGHTS ­ RESPONSI BILITIES? RIGHTS WATER Act 108 Services In terms ofWater the authorities service all water of 1997, and access to water must provide efficient, are services that sanitation economical and sustainable. affordable, Safe access to water and and Safe access to water particularly sanitation, for those in informal settlements Wise use of water

Having gone through a serious a serious Having gone through the City crisis, drought multi-year in Strategy Water its produced document outlines The 2019. water a shared towards the path and lists the following five future City commitments: Check Check CAPE TOWN’S TOWN’S CAPE SHARED WATER FUTURE This was achieved through a combined a combined through was achieved This the City and by all consumers, effort other WCWSS users. international was awarded City The for being the first in the recognition use within water world to halve its without timeframe such a short This supply. to intermittent resorting was done on top of significant water a achieved due to already efficiencies demand management successful water since 2000. programme In practice, this means that everyone must WATER RESPONSI­ be able to access the water they need, which, in South Africa, is a minimum of BI­LITIES 25 litres per day. In Cape Town, low- To cover the cost of providing these income households classified as “indigent” services, the City must generate enough are entitled to receive 6 000 litres of revenue from consumers. Charges water per household per month free of for the provision of water supply and charge.2 All other households need to wastewater removal and treatment are pay for what they use to keep water and intended to cover the cost of operating, sanitation services financially sustainable. maintaining, upgrading and expanding The City’s water webpage, “Think Water”, the City’s water and wastewater systems contains more information on water and services. Firstly, therefore, water users tariffs and indigent classification. Consult are responsible to pay for the water and at the “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” sanitation services they use. end of this chapter for a link. Secondly, you are responsible for using The national requirement for water and water wisely and carefully, especially in sanitation services to informal settlements water-restricted conditions. This means is one tap for 25 families within 200 m maintaining taps, toilets, plumbing and of any dwelling. In terms of communal pipes on your property to ensure that and shared toilets, these must also be there are no leaks, and fixing any leaks as within 200 m of a dwelling as a minimum soon as these are detected. Leaks are a requirement. The City works towards waste of water that can run up a high cost. a higher standard of one toilet for a So, to prevent loss of water and your hard- maximum of five households, and one tap earned money, monitor your water usage for 25 households, both within a maximum on an ongoing basis to be able to detect walking distance of 100 m. In situations a potential leak or unusual consumption of emergency relief, the City provides early on. a “shared service”, which is one tap for 40 households within a 200 m radius, and In the event of an underground leak or a one toilet for 10 households. leak not visible to the eye on the primary plumbing, the City can grant a rebate based on average previous consumption, among other factors. Apply for the rebate at one of the City’s customer interaction centres (walk-in centres) that deal with payments. For a link to a list of City walk-in centres, see “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”.

2 As at the time of compiling this publication. See www.capetown.gov.za for updated information.

16 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 17 to find out to find out The bottles also also bottles The

3 CONTACTS AND AND CONTACTS Turn to “ Turn RESOURCES” you can download it. where SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART contribute to the waste sent to contribute to the waste sent to get your Rather our landfill sites. and bottle water own reusable tap it with our good-quality refill water. To read more about your water rights rights about your water more read To the City has and responsibilities, compiled a summary guide to its water and other by-laws and regulations. points across town. All water is is All water town. points across accredited tested in the City’s laboratory, Scientific Services water which uses sophisticated and testing instrumentation a link to more For methods. go to quality, on water information AND RESOURCES”. “CONTACTS why people is no reason There in should not drink tap water about Costing Town. Cape is water bottled R10 per litre, (considering that expensive ofin your one litre tap water home costs 3c). for contact for contact CONTACTS CONTACTS According to 2019/20 tariffs. See the City of Cape Town’s website for the latest tariffs. for the latest website Town’s See the City of Cape tariffs. to 2019/20 According

AND RESOURCES” details). using alternative water safely; water using alternative pollution and sewer preventing blockages; adhering to laws and by-laws; and any water-related reporting (see “ problems 3 Cape Town’s drinking water drinking water Town’s Cape as is of high standard, a very most of largely it comes from catchment unpolluted mountain City has 12 water The areas. water facilities where treatment to the is consistently treated for standard SANS 241 national drinking-quality water. entering treatment water Raw plants is constantly monitored leaving and drinking water the plants into the distribution network is tested every also are There two hours. 250 sampling approximately WHY TAP TAP WHY TOPS REMAINS IN TOWN CAPE

Other responsibilities include: Other responsibilities Check Check Check Check You can help the City get an accurate WATER METER reading for your water meter by doing READING the following: Check Know where your water meter is. The City reads over 660 000 meters every month, using mobile handheld devices. Check Ensure that the meter is not covered Ideally, meter reading should happen by sand or weeds, is accessible to each month, which then serves as the basis City officials, and easy to read. for calculating consumers’ water charges according to current tariffs. Check If your water meter is behind locked gates, under a parked vehicle or in However, some meters are not accessible. an area guarded by dogs, you can If your meter cannot be read, whether due submit the reading yourself 11 times to a locked gate, aggressive pet or other a year. Consult “CONTACTS AND circumstances, and you do not submit your RESOURCES” for the relevant water reading, your bill will be an estimate contact details. The 12th reading based on your previous water use. As soon needs to be confirmed by a City as the meter reader is able to get an actual meter reader. reading, all cost estimates are updated and, if necessary, corrected. Check Alternatively, ask the City to relocate your meter to outside your property – check under “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” where to do so.

18 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 19 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

The Water Footprint Network Network Footprint Water The this in information has more AND “CONTACTS See regard. RESOURCES” for their web address. Water is required to manufacture the the to manufacture is required Water the food we produce goods we buy, benefit we services the provide and eat, footprint” “water is a measure A from. of amount of the total to used water goods and services. produce of the example look at coffee. Let’s a farmer needs in Kenya, Somewhere shrubs his coffee to plant and nurture He he can pick the beans. so that which to feed his shrubs, water requires of to five years growth, three after will, The he can pick. that beans produce and roasted then washed, are beans then need They coffee. to make ground before and transported to be packaged of All along the process being sold. and packaging manufacturing, coffee By the is required. water distribution, the time you pour yourself a cuppa, it already footprint to produce water 140 litres. comprises approximately OUR WATER WATER OUR FOOTPRINT WATER IN YOUR HOME

Check Flush the toilet with greywater HOUSEHOLD (laundry, bath and shower water) or another form of alternative water, WATER-SAVING such as rainwater, borehole or well- TIPS point water.4 If you’re using only alternative water, you can close the Households consume some 70% of the toilet stopcock (angle valve). water in Cape Town, making our homes a very important area of focus for saving Check Place a full glass bottle in your water. We all need to incorporate wise cistern to reduce each flush to a water-saving habits into our daily lives to maximum of six litres (if you have no ensure that we adapt to our “new normal” choice but to use municipal drinking – water scarcity. Any action we take to use water for flushing). water more efficiently makes a difference Check Use less toilet paper to minimise the to the sustainability of our water resources. risk of sewer blockages. Remember, the more water your save, the less you pay – and the more water remains Check Use bleach or disinfectant to in our dams. regularly sanitise toilets and surrounding areas, and keep hands The residential water-saving tips in sanitised to prevent health risks. this section are based on Capetonians’ experience during the recent drought crisis. BODY WASHING AND PERSONAL HYGIENE TOILET FLUSHING Check Take short, stop-start showers. Wet AND SANITATION your body. Turn off the tap. Soap. Rinse quickly. Check Only flush the toilet when necessary. Let the “yellow mellow” at home, Check No shower? Take a sponge bath. work, school, gym and the Use minimal water in a basin, shops. And do not use the toilet bowl or washtub (waskom). as a dustbin.

4 Using water from alternative sources does pose some health and hygiene risks you must avoid. Keep hands and surface areas sanitised and disinfected, and do not keep greywater for longer than 24 hours. Also keep water containers in a safe place, as children can drown in them.

20 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 21

Find and fix leaks on your on your and fix leaks Find – see page 24 property in this regard. for more and Modify your gutters downpipes to collect rainwater in containers. Reduce water pressure to to pressure water Reduce by turning your your property stopcock lower and/or installing pipe restrictor on the main a flow your meter. connection from your topsoil with a layer Cover of evaporation. mulch to reduce grass like Mulch with materials bark leaves, shredded clippings, chips or straw. Install low-flow showerheads Install low-flow showerheads restrictor to your or fit a flow to reduce showerhead existing flow to a maximum of litres seven as per the City’s per minute, By-law. Water current and harvested Use a broom hard to clean rainwater outdoor surfaces. Fit flow restrictors on indoor taps restrictors on indoor taps flow Fit to less rate the flow to reduce as per per minute, than six litres By-law. Water current the City’s SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check GARDENS AND OUTDOOR AREAS Check PLUMBING PLUMBING AND FITTINGS FIXTURES Check Only wash what is necessary. is necessary. Only wash what before for a full load Wait running washing machines and Some washing dishwashers. machine models even let you for the next use final rinse water washing cycle. laundry by hand Washing than many can use less water especially washing machines, older models with no eco-cycles. usage. Check your machine’s soap as possible to Use as little save on rinse water. for the next rinse water Reuse possible. wash wherever for laundry water Reuse flushing toilets. Collect the water that runs while runs while that the water Collect that Use for it to heat. you wait possible, wherever cold water for a sponge your water or heat or on the stove. in a kettle bath water as much washing Collect flushing for reuse and possible as can also greywater Excess toilets. or washing be used for plants vehicles. Do not let taps run for too long Use a cup for full flow. or at brushing teeth or shaving. hand sanitiser Use waterless ofinstead washing your hands time. every with water

Check Check Check Check Check Check LAUNDRY AND AND LAUNDRY DISHES Check Check Check Check Check 5 Harvest as much rainwater as you SWIMMING POOLS can. Store in sealed containers in a cool place and use for cleaning Check Fit a pool cover to significantly floors, outdoor hard surfaces (such reduce evaporation. as verandas, decks, paths and Check Recycle backwash water. driveways), windows and vehicles, washing laundry and flushing Check Harvest rainwater and direct toilets. Do not use for drinking, it to your pool for top-ups by cooking or bathing, as per the City’s attaching pipes or plastic sleeves to Water By-law. your gutters. ESSENTIAL OTHER WAYS TO ITEMS FOR YOUR SAVE WATER WATER-SAVING KIT Check Use much less wherever you go in and around Cape Town. Remember, Check A waskom (washtub container) for the municipal drinking water you use in showers and baths to collect use in other places (e.g. at work or as much water as possible. at the shops) comes from the same Check Buckets or jugs to transfer water dam system. from the waskom to the toilet Check Use minimal water for food or outside. preparation. For instance, do not run Check Containers to catch water in all water to defrost or rinse food. basins and sinks for reuse. Check Place a container in sinks, basins, Check Bleach or disinfectant to keep the the bath and shower to capture toilet area sanitised when using water for reuse.6 Containers in grey/alternative water for flushing. showers should be large enough to collect all shower water – a bucket Check Pipes or plastic sleeves for your may not be big enough to do the gutters to harvest rainwater for job. Water is heavy, so use jugs to pool water top-ups or water tank flush your toilets with greywater. collection.

Check Single-ply toilet paper to prevent sewer blockages.

Check Waterless hand sanitiser.

5 At some water restriction levels, no municipal drinking water may be used for pools, ponds or water features. 6 Note, however, that dirty, greasy water from dishwashing is not suitable for reuse.

22 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 23 rate per minute, by doing by doing per minute, rate of only a fifth a minute (12 you x 5 = 60 seconds), and the water, saving are heavy not that is bucket either. Measure the amount of Measure (e.g. in the bucket water litres). or 1,8 1 800 ml, the amount of Calculate used per minute water by multiplying it by five 1,8 x 5 = 9 litres (e.g. per minute). Ifrate your shower flow than the City’s is more maximum of prescribed per minute, seven litres your you should replace Anything showerhead. in the than 1,4 litres more in the 12-second bucket your shower is test means wasting water. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Hold a bucket under the under the Hold a bucket with a fully showerhead tap for opened cold-water Although you 12 seconds. the flow want to measure

Before you decide to change decide to change you Before a or fit your showerhead you should restrictor, flow your know how much water In terms of uses. showerhead By- Water current the City’s should no showerhead law, ofrate a flow seven litres exceed per minute. of rate flow test the your To will need you showerhead, with a a stopwatch a bucket, a measuring and seconds timer, Now follow these cup. simple steps: Check SHOULD YOU YOU SHOULD YOUR CHANGE SHOWERHEAD? So, you think you might have a leak YOUR at home? This is how to check and “HOW-TO” make sure: Check Stop all water use. Close all taps on GUIDE FOR the property and do not flush toilets.

FIXING LEAKS Check Check and record your meter reading. HOW TO FIND Check Wait 15 minutes and take another reading. Make sure nobody AND FIX LEAKS has opened a tap or flushed a toilet since you first noted the Finding and fixing leaks is an essential part meter reading. of reducing water wastage. Repairing leaks on your property is your responsibility. Check If there is a difference, you have a By law, leaks must be fixed quickly, which leak to fix. will also save you money. Tenants or those without a dedicated meter should In most instances, locating the leak is easy, also take action to stop leaks, whether by if you know where to look. Always check fixing the leak themselves or notifying the the basics first – toilets, hot-water cylinder property manager or owner. (geyser) overflow pipes, as well as taps. These are the most common. A single dripping tap can waste 15–90 litres per day, which is enough to fill an average swimming pool in a year. A CHECKING FOR A toilet leak wastes up to four times as much, TOILET LEAK or one average pool’s worth every third month. Many people do not realise they If you have identified the toilet as the have water leaks in their home, allowing culprit, check for the cause. Remove the water to go to waste for months or the cistern cover and look at the water even years. This not only ends up costing level inside: you money, but also drains our dams Check If the water is at the same level as unnecessarily. the overflow pipe or is flowing into it, the water level is set too high, or While fixing a leak may cost a bit, it typically the float valve is leaking and needs pays for itself very quickly, even within a to be replaced (see page 26-27). month or two for a simple toilet, tap or geyser leak where a plumber replaces a Check If the water level is below both washer. Payback is even faster if you do overflow pipes, the flush valve is it yourself. To help you, the City has put leaking. Alternatively, the flush valve together a handy DIY guide – page to may be worn or perished, causing at the end “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” water to leak into the bowl. Replace the of the chapter for a link that will take you flush-valve washer (see page 26-27). to it.

24 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 25 Close the isolating isolating Close the Method 1: the split remove valve (stopcock), arm from float the pin and lift arm the float Bend the cistern. prevent To slightly downwards. the arm with one hold damage, it with the hand while bending it If arm is old, float the other. easily, and break may be brittle When you are so be careful. it fits sure make it back, putting the reopen Finally, in correctly. the valve and check that isolating level is lower. new water SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check

Press a piece of a piece toilet Press paper against the inside back surface of the you If it gets wet, bowl. have a leak. probably of drops 15 food colouring Put after If, into the toilet cistern. in the water 15 minutes, the toilet bowl has changed is a leak. there colour, Listen for water trickling Listen for water into the toilet bowl.

3 2 1 If there is water flowing from your your from flowing If is water there your water this means overflow pipe, may be fixed This level is set too high. in setting by lowering the float-valve one of the following two ways: SETTING THE CORRECT THE SETTING CORRECT LEVEL WATER Check Method 2: If the valve is fitted with a REPLACING THE screw-type adjuster, turn the screw FLUSH-VALVE WASHER to lower the float slightly. The water should rise to a level below the Step 1: Close the isolating valve to shut off overflow, and the float valve should the water supply to the toilet. Remove the close off. If this does not happen split pin and the float arm. and the water level continues to Remove the spindle assembly. rise, causing the cistern to start Step 2: Be careful not to break the mechanism. overflowing again, the float-valve washer needs replacing (see how in Step 3: Unscrew the bottom flange and the next section). remove the washer (remember which side this washer faced for when you fit the If you can’t afford to call a plumber right new washer). Work gently. If you cannot away to fix a serious toilet problem, use remove the top part of the flush valve, the little stopcock (angle-valve) tap at call a qualified plumber. the base of the toilet to keep it turned off between flushes. Step 4: Install a new washer with the sloping side facing upwards. Reassemble REPLACING THE the parts by working your way back from FLOAT-VALVE WASHER the third to the first step above.

Step 5: Open the isolating valve slowly Step 1: Close the isolating valve to shut off and check that there are no more leaks. the water supply to the toilet.

Step 2: Remove the split pin and the float arm.

Step 3: Unscrew the cap.

Step 4: Remove the plunger by using water pressure to push it out. (Open the isolating valve slightly.)

Step 5: Unscrew the brass plunger to remove the washer held inside it.

Step 6: Fit a new washer. Reassemble the parts by working your way back from the fourth to the first step above.

Step 7: Open the isolating valve slowly and check that the float valve closes when the cistern is full.

26 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 27 Bottom flange Bottom Flush-valve washer SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Cap Float Split pin Split pin Float arm Float Float arm Float Valve body Valve Isolating valve Isolating Different manufacturers use different mechanisms. To ensure that you get you get that ensure To mechanisms. use different manufacturers Different Plunger/piston TIP: old washer along when your existing take washer, replacement the correct store. visiting the hardware REPLACING THE FLUSH-VALVE WASHER THE REPLACING FLUSH-VALVE REPLACING THE FLOAT-VALVE WASHER THE REPLACING FLOAT-VALVE CHECKING FOR A LEAK IN THE HOT-WATER CYLINDER

Like toilet cisterns, hot-water cylinders (geysers) have an overflow pipe.

Most modern geysers are high-pressure with thermostat control and are fitted with a pressure-reducing valve. It is normal for water to drip from the overflow pipe, which is connected to an expansion relief valve. Water expands when heated, so a small amount is released through this valve to relieve the pressure inside the cylinder and prevent it from bursting. The drip could continue for an hour or more, losing up to two litres a day. However, this should stop when the temperature stabilises. Instead of wasting this water, the overflow can be directed to the garden or collected from the pipe to water plants. However, REPLACING A TAP WASHER if it drips continuously, or the leaking is excessive, call a qualified plumber. Check all the taps in the home and garden for drips. A dripping tap usually means A gravity-fed (non-pressurised) cylinder the washer needs replacing. This is how has a float valve much like that found in a to do it: toilet cistern to control water flow. This can be adjusted to correct the water level and Step 1: Close the main isolating valve or reduce water overflow. If worn, the float- the isolating valve linked to the tap, then valve washer needs to be replaced. open the tap fully.

Both high-pressure and gravity-fed Step 2: Unscrew the cover. When unscrewing geysers are complex and can be very the tap, wrap a cloth around it to prevent it dangerous. The City recommends that you from being scratched. call a qualified plumber once the leak is Unscrew the spindle. found. For your convenience, the City has Step 3: compiled a list of registered Cape Town Step 4: Remove the spindle. plumbers – get the link to the list under “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”. Please Step 5: Unscrew the washer-retaining nut note, the City cannot be held responsible and remove the washer. for any work done by any listed plumber. Step 6: Fit a new washer and replace the nut. Make sure that you have the correct washer size for the tap.

28 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 29 3 6 Some taps are mixed with hot with hot mixed Some taps are SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART NOTE: NOTE: a from and cold supply controlled the base of usually at the single lever, and some other kinds of These tap. rather but taps may not have washers, need to be modules that integrated specific often are These replaced. and model. to the tap manufacturer these and other taps from leaks For a it is best to call without washers, qualified plumber. 5 2 4 1 Reinstall the spindle and screw the spindle and screw 7: Reinstall Step down the cover. open the water 8: Close the tap, Step again. supply slowly and check for leaks as the new the tap, Do not overtighten damaged. and is easily washer is softer Check CHECKING FOR If you were to find the leak in an underground pipe, would you be UNDERGROUND LEAKS capable of properly replacing pipe sections or fittings to fix the leak Unless you are confident of an yourself? If not, rather consider underground leak, check above ground calling a qualified plumber to first – toilets, taps and geysers. As soon locate the leak for you as part of the as you go underground, the costs and repair job. complexity increase.

Most underground leaks are not a typical Some underground leaks are easy to DIY job. Once you are sure that all other detect, while others are more difficult. An possible leak sources above the ground unnaturally green patch in the garden, have been addressed, but you continue damp patches in walls or hardened to lose water, it might be time to contact surfaces, as well as bubbling and a qualified plumber. However, giving the sloughing paint or plaster near the ground plumber a likely starting point to find the may all indicate a leaking water pipe. But leak may be helpful and could lower the even if you see these signs, the leak itself cost of the repairs. Sometimes, it may even can be hard to pinpoint. be necessary to call in the services of a Consider the following when dealing with leak detection expert to find the leak using a suspected underground leak: sophisticated equipment.

Check Has there been recent building or landscaping activity on or near the premises? This may give you a starting point for your search.

30 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 31 Geyser overflows or or Geyser overflows expansion from leaks relief pressure valves, are valves and drip trays any Direct hidden. often a into overflow outside and tank for collection must be a There reuse. the visible air gap between overflow pipe and the tank overflow excessive so that and visible, will be clearly action can be taken.

Check Toilet cistern overflow overflow cistern Toilet goes into the toilet often it cannot where bowl, Instead, seen. be easily overflows should be outside the directed you where building, can see it.

A slow toilet or geyser leak might might or geyser leak slow toilet A Your cistern to spot. be difficult can serve and geyser overflows so make warning, as an early these visible: Check MAKE MAKE POTENTIAL LEAKS MORE VISIBLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO I SHUT OFF THE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE MAIN WATER SUPPLY? FOR REPAIRING LEAKS?

The main tap (stopcock) to your property When the water meter is located outside is the main isolating valve. This is what you the property, the City will repair the leak turn off to stop the water supply when you if it is at the meter or on the underground need to fix a leak. It can be in the form of a pipe up to the boundary of your property. stopcock or a ball valve located on the pipe The owner or occupant is liable for all on your property, between the meter and repairs inside property boundaries. When the house. Since the pipe is usually laid the meter is located inside the property underground, it can develop underground boundary, the City will repair the pipe leaks. Always keep the area around up to the inlet side of the meter, and the stopcock clear and clean to ensure the meter itself. Please ensure that the immediate access should you need to shut City has safe access to this pipe and the off the water supply to your home. water meter.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT I HAVE FIXED ALL THE TO OPEN STOPCOCKS LEAKS. HOW ELSE CAN AND ISOLATING I REDUCE MY WATER VALVES SLOWLY? CONSUMPTION?

A stopcock or isolating valve is designed There are many ways to use even less to allow a gradual closing of the supply. If water in most households and workplaces. the stopcock is closed suddenly, you may The biggest uses indoors are typically hear a slamming or banging noise in your personal washing, flushing toilets and water pipes. This is called “water hammer” washing laundry. So, take very short and is caused by a sudden change in water showers, reuse your water, only flush when flow. With time, this can loosen brackets necessary and install efficient showerheads holding the pipes and increase the and taps. Gardens and pools also use a likelihood of leaks. A stopcock should be lot of water, so cover your pool and plant closed with care, and only when essential. water-wise vegetation.

32 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 33

Tenths of litres Tenths litres 10s of litres 100s of litres 10s of kilolitres kilolitres 100s of litres 10s of litres SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART When monitoring your meter reading When monitoring your meter reading the look for where to confirm a leak, meter shows movement of the smallest by indicated volumes of used, water If is a of there or fractions litres. litres stopped all other and you have leak, will likely you usage in the house, water notice a change in the small volumes during the 15-minute monitoring dials, On the face with round period. by the indicated the small volumes are (0,001) or tenths ofdials for litres litres On the meter with numbers (0,0001). the far right of look to the set of only, (second from the litres where numbers, the right) and tenths of (furthest litres to the right) are.

litres kilolitres Tenths of litres Tenths 10s of kilolitres 100s of kilolitres 100s of kilolitres 1 000s of kilolitres 1 000s of kilolitres 10 000s of kilolitres Reading a water meter is simple. Open Open meter is simple. a water Reading If is locked, it meter box. your water can unlock it the City meter reader to read next when (s)he comes around your meter. be one of meter will likely the two Your the Both record above. kinds illustrated but display it slightly same information, differently. one kind has a set of The numbers dials and some round the top, at other kind has The (top illustration). dials and no round numbers only, various are There illustration). (bottom but all have these and models, makes basic features. HOW TO READ TO HOW WATER YOUR METER NOTE: This section applies to greywater HOW TO FIND that is used within 24 hours and for A PLUMBER general (manual) “bucketing” use in, for example, formal dwellings, businesses, If it is not a simple job that you can do sports and other clubs, schools and yourself, you may want to call a plumber. places of worship. If greywater is Always work with someone who is stored for longer than 24 hours, it properly qualified and registered, such as needs treatment, such as filtration and those listed in the City’s plumbers register disinfection, as advised by a specialist. (see “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”). Note, however, that the City cannot be The information is also intended held responsible for any work done by any specifically for urban consumers in listed plumber. drought periods and is always subject to users’ own safety checks and discretion. Once you have secured a City-registered plumber, ensure that quality, SABS- approved materials are used for any repairs. WHAT IS GREYWATER, The Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Service Installation Components (JASWIC) AND WHAT IS NOT? has issued lists of accepted plumbing Greywater is untreated wastewater materials, which you should consult. that comes from baths and showers (body washing) and handwash basins. Laundry water from washing machines Turn to “CONTACTS AND or handwashing qualifies only if RESOURCES” for the web environmentally friendly detergents were address. used. Depending on the source, greywater can contain:

Check bacteria; If you can neither afford a plumber nor Check pathogens; fix the leak yourself, keep the main tap Check organic material; (stopcock) off between water usages. Check oil and grease; Check soap and detergent residue; SAFE USE OF Check pesticide residue; Check dirt; GREYWATER Check lint; Check sodium; One way to save water and money is by Check nitrates and phosphates; reusing some water. Typically, 50–80% Check high salt and pH levels; of indoor water used in the home can Check bleach; and be reused as greywater. However, as Check hair and skin particles. greywater often contains harmful bacteria, it does pose some significant health This makes its safe use essential. and hygiene risks that need to be well managed to prevent disease.

34 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 35 store greywater for longer for longer greywater store as this will than 24 hours, slime to bad odour, lead risks. build-up and health needs water the If you do, disinfection and filtration, as advised by a treatment, specialist. if any use greywater household member is sick. nappy-washing water. reuse and animals allow children greywater. near ever ingest or swallow greywater. as spraying greywater, spray disperses and spreads pathogens. to leave allow greywater and flow into the property streams drains, stormwater or rivers. reused use already for anything else. greywater

EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE DO NOT … EXCLAMATION-TRIANGLE DO NOT SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART GENERAL GENERAL FOR RULES USE GREYWATER the risk of at is used entirely Greywater City cannot be held The the consumer. damage or liable for any consequential from or indirectly loss arising directly the use of greywater. ) and ) and CONTACTS CONTACTS sanitise your hands after sanitise your hands after using greywater. friendly use environmentally soaps and detergents possible. wherever guide for the see the City’s of installation water alternative systems (see “ AND RESOURCES” consult a specialist if plan you on installing an alternative requires system that water a plumbing work (e.g. borehole).

Check Check Check Check DO … toilet water (which (which toilet water is not Greywater and pathogens) faecal matter contains jacuzzis and spas, from or water and sinks kitchen from Water pools. oils, fats, grease, dishwashers contains food and other solid particles, bacteria, not be reused. and must therefore SOURCE OF GREYWATER POSSIBLE CONTENTS USE

“Warm-up”/lag water This is still good-quality Check Flushing toilets water and poses a low risk if Cold water that runs while Check Cleaning indoor used immediately, collected waiting for hot water from surfaces in clean, sanitary containers, taps or showerheads. Check Laundry and not combined with other water sources. Not Check Dishwashing recommended for drinking. If it has made contact with human bodies or potentially unclean surfaces, it is seen as greywater.

Shower and bath water Bacteria, hair, organic Check Flushing toilets* material, skin particles, lint, Check Cleaning vehicles* oil and grease, soap and Check Garden irrigation* detergents

Laundry water – from Dirt, lint, organic material, Check Flushing toilets* oil and grease, sodium, washing machine or Check Cleaning vehicles* handwashing nitrates and phosphates Check Garden irrigation* (from detergent), high salt The rinse water from a and pH levels, bleach washing machine cycle has the lowest risk if you can capture it separately from the general water. Preferably use to wash vehicles, as other greywater can leave a residue. Rinse water can also be used for the next wash cycle.

Handbasin washing water Bacteria, organic material, Check Flushing toilets* oil and grease, soap and Check Cleaning vehicles* detergent residue Check Garden irrigation*

Vegetable and fruit-rinsing Bacteria, organic matter Check Flushing toilets* and pesticide residue water Check Cleaning vehicles*

* Use with caution, as indicated in the next section.

36 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 37 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Use a jug, and carefully pour greywater directly into into directly pour greywater carefully and Use a jug, spread as it may splashing, Avoid the toilet bowl. from particularly aerosols, through pathogens area the toilet and surrounding Keep faecal matter. disinfected. to manually flush the If jugs or buckets using you are as the greywater do not pour it into the cistern, toilet, system and can flow back into the drinking water for hazard would be a health That it. contaminate area. as well as others in the people on your property, if Even you have turned off the angle valve/stopcock, this will not the base ofwhich is usually at the toilet, prevent system If you have a greywater backflow. should be completely supply the drinking water installed, the toilet. disconnected from can clog up the as greywater check for leaks, Regularly valve mechanism. to wash when using greywater discretion Exercise a residue. may leave as very soapy water vehicles, soaps and friendly detergents, Environmentally shampoos must be used in the washing machine if this harmful chemicals prevents This is to be reused. water or the stormwater entering and contaminating from systems. surface water surface wash your vehicle on a permeable If possible, the so that water, any surface away from or dirt), (grass roads surfaces (driveways, does not run off hard water runoff The systems. and pavements) into stormwater which chemicals, and hazardous dirt may contain oils, and the environment. systems harmful to water are

CONDITIONS OF USE TO REDUCE RISK REDUCE TO OF USE CONDITIONS Check Check Check Check Check Check

toilets vehicles vehicles Flushing Cleaning USE The following table provides an overview of an overview table provides following for conditions the use ofThe greywater irrigation. and garden vehicles cleaning flushing toilets, USING GREYWATER SAFELY FOR FOR SAFELY GREYWATER USING CLEANING TOILETS, FLUSHING GARDEN IRRIGATION AND VEHICLES Check Prioritise the use of low-risk greywater, such as the rinse water from the washing machine. Check Always ensure that greywater never touches the above- ground part of fruit or vegetable plants being grown. Water the roots only. Check To avoid direct contact with edible food plants, use Irrigating drip irrigation with a thick layer of mulch on top. Do food not use greywater on leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach) gardens and root vegetables (e.g. carrots). Check Always wash fruit and vegetables before food preparation and cook root vegetables first if they have had (sub-surface) greywater irrigation. Avoid hosing, spraying or misting irrigation methods.

Check Greywater can make the soil alkaline and add salt, which builds up and damages soil quality. Some plants cannot grow in those soil conditions. Seek advice from garden centres or experts and use with discretion. Check Spread the water across the garden to avoid soil clogging or pooling, which attracts mosquitoes and leads to grey/green slime areas developing. Check Do not irrigate within 48 hours of rain, as the greywater may pool on the surface if the soil is wet. Check Do not use hosing, spraying (or misting) irrigation methods to prevent spreading and breathing in airborne germs. The use of sprinklers is discouraged, Irrigating but if you do, ensure that it is low-spray with large non-food water droplets. Rather use drip/sub-surface irrigation gardens, i.e. lawn with a layer of mulch on top. and plants Check Avoid/limit the use of greywater in parts of the garden where people and animals go. Check Water the garden at night to avoid human contact for eight hours after irrigating, and to reduce evaporation. Check Environmentally friendly detergents, soaps and shampoos must be used in the washing machine if this water is to be reused. These substances are low in phosphorus, sodium, boron and chloride, and reduce the negative impact on soils, plants and, ultimately, the water system. Phosphate is particularly dangerous to the environment.

38 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 39

CONTACTS CONTACTS for the link to the for the link to the

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART The most efficient roof surface for most efficient The is a metal roof, harvesting rainwater flat iron, which may be corrugated rib) box sheet or an IBR (inverted iron be used, roofs may also Tiled profile. not as efficient although they are as metal for collecting rainwater. cannot be harvested from Rainwater due to the roof – partly a thatched water as well as lack of guttering, but mostly due to the discolouration, lack of the roof. runoff from storage rainwater appropriate The volume will depend on your including factors such circumstances, the as your type and size of roof, and of in your local area, rainfall nature Water The your intended use levels. has funded Commission Research the development of a useful water harvesting tool to assist prospective the harvesters through rainwater and help them choose the process Check under “ right design. AND RESOURCES” tool.

Rinse water from the washing machine (if the washing from not used for Rinse water flushing) washing or toilet vehicle cycle, wash the next Ifit you can capture to plants. poses the lowest risk in prioritise its use water, the general from separately the garden. and plants with greywater well-established Only water wilting yellowing, signs ofmonitor them for (e.g. stress water use alternative Rather colour). or mottled harvesting) for new plants. rainwater (e.g. species if planting salt-tolerant plants show Consider with greywater. irrigation from stress

Check Check Check AT HOME AT Rainwater harvesting is the practice of harvesting is the practice Rainwater the roof, usually from capturing rain, for containers and storing it in large garden uses such as flushing toilets, hard vehicles, or cleaning irrigation outdoor surfaces and windows. harvesting system basic rainwater A to gravity on usually relies with tanks your roof to from the rainwater take via the gutters/downpipes. tanks water filtering system rainwater “first-flush” A and dirt is usually installed to prevent entering the tanks. from matter foreign can be installed against a wall Tanks of your house under the roof eaves, with the help of a or underground can be pumped Rainwater specialist. you need it, to where the tanks from such as the garden. RAINWATER RAINWATER HARVESTING Simple and relatively cheap, flexible A wellpoint usually consists of a pump that plastic sleeves or extendable pipes is mounted at ground level and draws up can be used to direct rainwater from water via a suction pipe from a maximum downpipes/gutters directly into pools for depth of 8–10 m. Boreholes, in turn, can topping up, or into rain gardens, ponds be shallow at a depth of about 30 m, or underground storage reservoirs. or deeper at 100 m or more. Installing Underground storage systems provide wellpoints and boreholes is expensive and much larger storage volumes, which last should be fully researched beforehand. longer, yet are more expensive. Not all groundwater is ideal for irrigating plants, as it might have too much salt or iron. Groundwater may not be used BOREHOLES for drinking, cooking or body washing, AND WELL- according to the City’s Water By-law. Groundwater plays an important part in POINTS FOR the environment. During dry periods, groundwater replenishes low-flowing GROUND­WATER rivers. During wet periods, the opposite Boreholes and wellpoints draw up occurs when rivers and surface drainage underground water, which is generally replenish groundwater. To ensure used for irrigation. However, these must that borehole water is not polluted or be registered, used moderately and in overexploited, the amount of groundwater accordance with the City and national that is extracted needs to be monitored water restrictions. and all boreholes must be registered with the City. When using this resource, the In drought conditions, only very limited appropriate City-provided signage must irrigation is allowed so that groundwater be displayed so as to be visible from a can be preserved. In times of serious public thoroughfare. water shortages, groundwater should be used for indoor essential use, such as toilet flushing as a priority, with appropriate treatment.

Consult the City’s GUIDELINES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ALTERNATIVE WATER SYSTEMS to ensure full compliance

(see “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”). GUIDELINES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ALTERNATIVE WATER SYSTEMS

40 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 41 Catch basin Catch Rainfall flows into Rainfall drains stormwater and streams SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Water going down your kitchen sink, kitchen sink, going down your Water goes into the basin and toilet bath, reaches and eventually sewer system, where plant, treatment the wastewater (the system and treated it gets cleaned and Rainwater below left). illustrated flowing in our streets any other water system, goes into the stormwater to our rivers and and eventually flows flowing into the before catchments below right). (illustrated ocean city includes Being a water-sensitive our sewer and looking after systems. stormwater

Sanitary pipe to treatment wastewater facility PREVENTING PREVENTING SEWER BLOCKAGES AND STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTING BLOCKED SEWERS

Dumping rubbish into a plumbing Overflowing sewers also attract disease system not designed for foreign waste and pollute our air with unpleasant smells. causes sewer blockages and overflows. The hight cost associated with fixing This affects us all. An overflowing sewer blocked sewers can be avoided or runs into our stormwater drains and reduced if we all commit to getting rid of contaminates our rivers, streams and our waste properly. canals. The contaminated water poses a threat to our health and the environment.

Have a look at the following tips:

Put a strainer in the Don’t flush nappies sink to catch food or and sanitary products; other waste before it they absorb water goes down the drain and expand, which and creates a blockage. causes blockages.

Unwanted food belongs Wipes, earbuds, condoms in the bin, not down the and hair are small, but kitchen sink or drain. Fruit they clump together with and vegetable waste and other objects and cause eggshells can be used to blockages. make compost.

Make compost with peels Don’t flush rags or bin them. Peels don’t and newspapers. decompose quickly; they NEWS These objects get stuck in the pipes don’t break down. and cause blockages.

Wipe cooking fat, oil or grease off the pan and throw it in the bin; do not pour it down the drain. Fat and oil poured down a drain sticks to the inside walls of drainpipes when it hardens. Waste items then stick to it, causing blockages.

42 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 43 “CONTACTS AND AND to “CONTACTS Turn RESOURCES” for details sewer of to report where covers, missing drain blockages, and leaks burst pipes, vandalism, When reporting wastage. water give the street an incident, and get a reference address number. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART RAINWATER INCORRECTLY GOING INTO THE THE GOING INTO INCORRECTLY RAINWATER SEWER SYSTEM RAINWATER CORRECTLY CORRECTLY RAINWATER THE RUNNING INTO SYSTEM STORMWATER Channel the rainwater from your your from Channel the rainwater system to the stormwater gutters/roof picture). in the top left (as illustrated it into the sewer system Do not direct as it can cause overflows, (top right), If you rain. especially during heavy on your rainwater don’t want excess a channel or make rather property, and to run into the street pipe it further Only system. down into the stormwater is allowed in the stormwater rainwater or not your used greywater drains, (Many people also store wastewater. to use for activities like some rainwater windows and hard vehicles, cleaning etc.) and for the garden, surfaces, PREVENTING Check Household waste should be binned, recycled or composted, depending POLLUTION, on the type. Do not throw it down CONTAMINATION the stormwater drain, as it either blocks the system and causes AND OBSTRUCTIONS localised flooding or ends up in and IN THE STORMWATER pollutes our waterways. SYSTEM Check Wipe cooking fat off the pan with newspaper or paper towels and By following the tips below, you can play place it in the bin – do not pour it your part in protecting our stormwater down the stormwater drain. system from pollution, contamination and obstructions: Check Pick up any litter on and around your property and put it in a nearby Check Pour any dirty (polluted) wastewater bin. This will prevent Cape Town’s down the sink or toilet so that it infamous winds from blowing the ends up in the sewer system, not the litter into our stormwater system. stormwater system. This includes wastewater from hair products and Check Wash your vehicle on a soft surface, treatments, pool backwash and where the greywater gets absorbed bin-washing water. If this wastewater into the soil. Do not wash it on reaches the stormwater system, it is hard surfaces near a drain, as the destined for the ocean, where it will chemicals in the greywater will run harm the ecosystem, contaminate directly into the stormwater system. seafood and threaten marine life.

IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO START ESTABLISHING HEALTHY HABITS INVOLVING WATER.

44 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 45 for details on for details on “CONTACTS AND AND “CONTACTS For more on how to maintain on how to maintain more For the consult our waterways, Management of Urban City’s (see Policy Impacts Stormwater AND RESOURCES”). “CONTACTS to Turn RESOURCES” misuse of the report to where to as well as system, stormwater guidance and further request water the City’s advice from team. pollution control SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART It is never too early (or too late) to to (or too late) It is never too early habits healthy establishing start One such healthy involving water. To hand washing. habit is regular ones to wash their the little encourage and tippy bottle a squeeze hands, and very affordable practical, tap are early tools for use in schools, effective (ECDs) childhood development centres and crèches. ESTABLISHING ESTABLISHING HEALTHY HABITS at the end of at the CONTACTS AND AND CONTACTS RESOURCES” Use eco-friendly products for for products Use eco-friendly cleaning and for your garden chemicals When it rains, vehicles. and pest control in fertilisers, the end up in products cleaning harming our system, stormwater and wetlands streams, rivers, the ocean. paint Used motor oil and should be disposed products drop-off of City-approved a at facility (see “ Under no chapter on waste). be should these circumstances allowed to enter the stormwater as they contain (or sewer) system, harmful chemicals. extremely your from the rainwater Let into soak roof areas and paved or a flower bed. the ground any possible that ensures This absorbed by pollutants are diverting the soil and plants, our stormwater them away from the and also reduces system, load on the system. and regularly your gutters Clean and sandy sweep away leaves could land up in sediment that causing system, the stormwater and flooding. blockages

Check Check Check Check THE SQUEEZE BOTTLE – WATER-SAVING HAND WASHING

STEP 1: YOU WILL NEED STEP 2: PREPARING YOUR BOTTLE STEP 3: ASSEMBLING Check A clean 2-litre plastic Check Use a sharp tool to make two Check Push the pipe through bottle with cap small holes in the bottle cap one hole, until it Check 80 cm of clear 4 mm touches the bottom irrigation pipe and scissors Check Fill the bottle with water Check A sharp tool to make holes and tighten the lid in the cap

STEP 4: LET THE WATER FLOW STEP 5: RELEASE STEP 6: WASH YOUR HANDS Check Cover the open hole Check Take your finger away Check Use soap with your finger, while from the hole when the Check Collect the water used squeezing the bottle water starts flowing in a bucket

STEP 7: STOP THE WATER STEP 8: REUSE THE WATER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Check Lift the pipe above Check The water collected can be Check Keep the squeeze the bottle cap and the used for flushing bottle out of sunlight water will stop flowing Check Rinse and change water every second day

46 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 47 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART STEP 3: STEP over the wire Heat the lit candle. a small hole Make in the lower part of the bottle. 5: STEP a hole Push the through soap with the screwdriver.

Plastic bottle with screw-on cap with screw-on Plastic bottle Medium plastic tube piece ofShort wire metal Bar of soap STEP 6: STEP hang it on a it works, sure When you are shelf people can use it for hand where by threading soap nearby Keep washing. the soap with string and tie it to the bottle. STEP 2: STEP the Clean well. bottle 4: STEP the plastic tube Push the hole of through tube The the bottle. should fit tightly. the cap. and replace with water the bottle Fill the tube. should flow through no water When the cap is tight, the tube. from should flow out in a stream the water When the cap is loose, STEP 1: STEP the tippy tap: you need to make What • • • Pliers • Screwdriver • • Candle • Rope • HOW TO MAKE TO HOW A TIPPY TAP TIPPY A CONTACTS AND RESOURCES

CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE AT

Cape Town Water Strategy The 2019 City of Cape Town www.capetown.gov.za/ strategy developed in the context waterregulations and/or of a severe three-year drought www.capetown.gov.za/ crisis from 2015–2018 thinkwater

City of Cape Town cash offices and A list of the City’s service centres www.capetown.gov.za/facilities walk-in centres where residents can submit water bill queries, pay their accounts and apply for rebates

DIY guide to finding and fixing water A DIY City guide to help you http://cct.gov.za/0byva leaks address water leaks on your property

Guidelines for the installation of A City guide to help residents http://cct.gov.za/AIBNl alternative water systems install alternative water systems safely and legally

Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water A committee that represents www.jaswic.co.za Service Installation Components water engineers at local (JASWIC) authorities and serves as the custodian of lists of accepted water and sanitation components

Management of Urban Stormwater For more information about urban www.capteown.gov.za/ Impacts Policy stormwater management waterregulations

Plumbers register A useful list of registered www.capetown.gov.za/ Cape Town plumbers thinkwater and/or http://cct.gov.za/AIBNl

Relocating water meters Only qualified plumbers which www.capetown.gov.za/ are registered with the City are servicerequests allowed to sign off on plumbing certificates of compliance or approval

Reporting water-related issues Details for reporting water www.capetown.gov.za/ problems such as a burst pipe, servicerequests vandalism, water wastage, sewer [email protected] blockages and misuse of the SMS: 31373 (maximum stormwater system 160 characters) 0860 103 089 Visit a walk-in centre

48 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 49 http://cip.csag.uct.ac.za/ webclient2/waterharvest/ www.capetown.gov.za/ waterquality https://waterfootprint.org/en/ https://waterfootprint.org/en/ www.capetown.gov.za/ thinkwater www.capetown.gov.za/ waterregulations AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE 0860 103 089 www.capetown.gov.za/eservices SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART A handy website to help website to help handy A in rainwater consumers interested harvesting set up their systems City webpage with information on on City webpage with information is treated water Town’s how Cape a very at and consistently kept high standard A platform for collaboration for collaboration platform A between companies, and individuals organisations crises water to solve the world’s footprint education water through and research ThinkWater is a website page a website page is ThinkWater highlighting the most important and water relevant and currently and information related sanitation resource. User-friendly City guide that City guide that User-friendly consumers’ rights water explains as provided and responsibilities by-laws water for in the City’s DESCRIPTION Information on where residents residents where on Information can submit their own monthly if their meters readings water not accessible to City meter are readers Water Research Commission water water Commission Research Water harvesting tool Water quality Water Water Footprint Network Footprint Water ThinkWater Summary guide to the City of Cape ofSummary guide to the City Cape By-law Water Town’s CONTACT/RESOURCE reading your own water Submitting WASTE

Nature operates in a circular system. reintroduced as food for the tree. An Among others, this means that waste exciting challenge facing city communities generated by one organism becomes is to work towards a circular system of our food for another. For example, fallen own, where the unwanted items of one leaves decay and the nutrients are cycle are essential goods for another. returned to Earth, where they are

50 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 51 for for CONTACTS CONTACTS By buying durable and and By buying durable of instead products reusable we can start disposable items, the waste we create. reducing in the is well illustrated This of Story documentary, short “ – turn to Stuff AND RESOURCES” on how to view it. information SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Moreover, waste causes various forms forms waste causes various Moreover, Clearly, of and littering. pollution in which we have the way therefore, of and disposing waste been creating need to consider We is unsustainable. waste in the first how to avoid creating and how we could use it as an place, While international economic resource. practices African laws and and South this, changing to try to address are go. is still a long way to there bin put out on the sidewalk Every of week in front our homes each 70 bins of about waste represents to manufacture generated were that use the items we and produce it takes example, For every day. (coal, about 75 kg of resources one to produce oil and water) cellphone; one toothbrush requires to produce. 1,5 kg of resources WHAT IS IS WHAT WASTE? or unusable material is unwanted Waste of a result as our lifestyle. created accustomed grown have we Historically, and Earth from to taking materials products, using them to manufacture consumed then distributed, which are disposed of in various ways. finally, and, running system, is called a linear This to disposal. extraction from straight the amount managing However, of system such a linear waste that as unwanted is expensive, produces quickly loses value and material When risk. and a becomes a burden landfilled or are products discarded nutrients and inherent their burnt, also lost forever. are resources INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION WASTE TO ENERGY CAPTURE means to use waste- WHAT IS to-energy processes to recover the energy INTEGRATED benefit from waste materials and convert it into a usable source, such as electricity. WASTE This is the fourth step in the hierarchy. MANAGE­ Next, remaining waste should be treated. WASTE TREATMENT includes MENT? composting organic waste to send less waste to landfill and reduce greenhouse Put simply, integrated waste management gases, while keeping nutrients in the is a comprehensive system that system. Hazardous waste should also combines waste management with be treated to reduce toxicity and the waste prevention and reduction. In volume of waste sent to landfill. South Africa, the integrated waste management hierarchy is regulated Our last resort should be the safe (and, therefore, made law) through the DISPOSAL of waste. Waste should National Environmental Management: never be dumped in streets, fields, Waste Act 59 of 2008 (NEM:WA). rivers or oceans, as this causes pollution. Instead, waste must be The first level of the hierarchy is to disposed of at formal landfill sites or, PREVENT, AVOID or ELIMINATE waste in the case of hazardous items, special production altogether, or REDUCE the treatment and disposal facilities. amount of waste we cannot avoid. The latter would include avoiding over- packaged goods and refusing single-use, disposable items such as straws and plastic bags. This should be our top priority. Minimisation and prevention

Next in the hierarchy is to REUSE items in their current form if avoidance and Reusing reduction are impossible. For instance, return a glass bottle to the manufacturer to be refilled, or use ceramic crockery Recycling instead of disposable items.

Thirdly, we are called on to RECYCLE Energy waste items into new, useful ones. capturing Plastic bottles can be recycled into small pieces, which are then used to Treatment manufacture new products. In this and disposal way, the actual raw material gets put back into the system for reuse.

52 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 53 BACK CENTRE? -BACK SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Residents should confirm which confirm which should Residents types of drop-off a specific refuse visiting. before facility accepts A materials recovery facility (MRF) is facility (MRF) is recovery materials A to reclaim waste is pre-sorted where from can occur Sorting recyclables. it is before waste stream the dirty to landfill for disposal. transferred may be recyclables Alternatively, has that stream a clean from sorted source at been separated already One the MRF. it reaches before MRF” is the Kraaifontein such “clean waste management facility. WHAT IS A IS A WHAT BUY cash for offers centre buy-back A usually a private is This recyclables. generally that or community business materials packaging accepts recyclable market. with a value in the recycling IS A WHAT MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY? OFF -OFF A drop-off facility is where residents residents facility is where drop-off A specific types ofrefuse. can take this may include Depending on the site, packaging recyclable refuse, garden metal glass, cardboard, (such as paper, garage builders’ rubble, and plastic), e-waste and oil. waste, or other bulky WHAT IS A IS A WHAT DROP FACILITY? The City of Cape Town is responsible is responsible Town of City The Cape a waste management for providing consists of which cleansing, service, waste and solid removal refuse is in line with the This disposal. functions of local government set out B of the Constitution Part in Schedule 5, 1996. of ofAfrica, the Republic South disposal sites are or refuse Waste dumps”. commonly called “refuse and all Managing these “dumps” is one them activities surrounding of performed by functions the core by the Local as required the City, Government: Municipal Systems as Landfill sites, Act 32 of 2000. known in municipal are “dumps” waste ultimately also where are circles, or reused ends up if recovered, not a few of look at the cogs Let’s recycled. in the wheel of operation. this giant WHERE DOES DOES WHERE OUR WASTE GO? When waste arrives at an MRF, it is placed onto a conveyer belt or sorting WHAT IS A table so that specific types of recyclables LANDFILL SITE? can be separated, either by hand or A landfill is a licensed or authorised machines (such as magnetic sorters). site in terms of NEM:WA where waste The recyclable material is then baled can be disposed of into lined, specially and sold to the recycling market. The engineered sections called “cells”. waste that cannot be recycled (known These sealed cells are designed to as “spoils”), including contaminated prevent waste from making contact recyclables, is transferred to landfill for with the Earth around it, thereby final disposal, where it gets compacted. minimising pollution of the environment, It is not easy to recycle dirty or in particular groundwater. City of contaminated waste. Cleaning (rinsing with Cape Town landfill sites are classified for greywater) and separating waste at source general and low-risk hazardous waste. – including in your home – into wet and dry waste will help the City extract recyclables, which will ultimately see more items WHAT IS THE being recycled and less being landfilled. DISPOSAL PROCESS AT LANDFILL? WHAT IS A REFUSE Permissible waste streams are accepted TRANSFER STATION? and disposed of in an operating cell by end-tipping from the refuse truck. The A refuse transfer station (RTS) is where waste is then spread, compacted and waste is transferred from the refuse covered with continuous layers of soil on truck, compacted, and sent to landfill. a daily basis. This daily process prevents RTSs are primarily used to transfer odours, flies and other insects, wind- waste if the collection point is located blown waste, the spreading of disease and far from the landfill site. At the RTS, attracting unwanted animals. This method, waste is compacted into containers and called “sanitary landfilling”, is used for transferred to landfill via rail or road. general waste. Hazardous waste needs special treatment, such as the addition of chemicals or co-disposal in trenches.

54 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 55

Requiring quite a lot of Requiring waste working, every day to keep do not encourage incinerators less rubbish. people to generate while people should be In fact, away fewer things so throwing we have less rubbish to get that simply adds incineration rid of, fuel to the waste fire. proverbial It does not make people people It does not make less waste: generate It can make people sick: sick: people It can make people and workers Incinerator often incinerators near who live such problems, health have more challenges. as cancer or fertility by released chemicals The malfunctioning incinerators that on the grass can also settle on. graze as cows, such animals, cows’ milk or When we drink the chemicals these their meat, eat end up in our bodies and can problems. cause health ash: dangerous It generates waste has over after ash left The is been burnt in an incinerator the poisonous than much more is This it was burnt. waste before such as because new substances, metals, and heavy furans dioxins, burns. formed when the waste are ash still incinerator Therefore, has to be disposed of on safely waste, a landfill for hazardous if managed, not properly which, and can cause environmental risks. health SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check

1 All types of incinerators cause All types of cause incinerators despite the some air pollution, equipment attached. air cleaning If not managed or maintained can an incinerator properly, to 190 different up release any of chemicals into the air, to which can be very dangerous our health. It pollutes the air: www.groundwork.org.za/factsheets/incinerators.pdf

1 Check WHAT IS IS WHAT INCINERATION? a waste treatment Incineration is involves the combustion that process of contained substances organic the (simply put, in waste materials umbrella The burning ofwaste). other high- term for incineration and systems treatment waste temperature converts is “thermal treatment”. It flue gas and heat. waste into ash, for the is not preferred, Incineration following reasons: After the waste has been buried and and has been buried the waste After lie there it can tightly compacted, very decaying offor hundreds years, full, When landfill sites are slowly. or capped they need to be closed to restored (i.e. and rehabilitated sound environmentally a useful, Although this helps condition). and environmental contain health it is a costly process. pollution, Check It is expensive: Incinerators are very expensive to construct and operate, WHAT IS being the most costly per metric MEANT BY tonne of all thermal waste treatment methods. They also do not create jobs REUSE AND for local communities, as they are mostly mechanical. There are other RECYCLING, ways to deal with waste that can create jobs, such as separating and recycling AND WHY IS IT waste. Money spent on these activities IMPORTANT? stays in the community. Our natural ecosystems have taught Precisely for these health, environmental and us that waste from one cycle can financial reasons, incineration is currently low become food for another. This, then, is on the City’s priority list of waste treatment the fundamental principle behind the options. However, in the next few years, reuse and recycling of our own waste. there may be instances where specific waste streams may need to be incinerated (or We tend not to think about the value similarly treated) to meet landfill diversion left in the items we are so quick to throw targets: Certain waste streams may, for into the bin and send to landfill. But if instance, not be recyclable (such as some you consider the time and effort that plastics) or may produce a large amount went into extracting the materials and of energy (such as tyres). There is also the energy to produce even the simplest possibility of, for example, burning certain items, such as a beverage can or glass types of waste in cement kilns instead of bottle, it makes sense to reuse or coal, which may save on fossil fuel. Such recycle them instead of simply throwing plants would need to be very strictly them away. Reusing or recycling our managed, however, to prevent and contain waste captures its inherent value. any health and environmental impact.

DIOXINS Exposure to dioxins damages the immune system, which may Dioxins are a group of persistent, increase the risk of contracting very toxic chemicals that are infectious diseases and disrupt formed as by-products of industrial proper hormonal function. These processes involving chlorine, chemicals are known to cause or when chlorine and organic cancer in humans and affect matter are burnt together. reproduction and development in animals, even at very low doses.

56 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 57 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Therefore, both slow down the down the both slow Therefore, consumption of the resources the value retain available to us and consumed already of the resources products. existing to manufacture reduce recycling and reuse Secondly, the amount of waste sent to landfill. landfill space (also saves in turn, This, and delays the known as “airspace”) high cost impact and environmental and destroying of new areas clearing new landfills. to create habitats natural our waste items our waste items RECYCLING usually involves an or materials ofindustrial process converting such as ways, them in different into and melting, shredding raw These materials. new raw can then be used to materials useful the same or different make plastic soft A items or objects. can for example, drink bottle, into a new plastic be recycled or into plastic thread bottle, T-shirts. can be woven into that has many steps. Recycling our waste items at sorting Yet to ensure home is a good start place. can take recycling that REUSE of our waste items or using them means materials whether in full or in again, for the same or a different part, without changing purpose, their physical form or nature. is using the An example ofbottom drink a plastic soft as a candleholder. bottle in popularity. is growing Reuse an increasing instance, For number of people use reusable ofshopping bags instead buying time new shopping bags each store. they visit the grocery WHAT DO DO WHAT “REUSE” AND “RECYCLING” MEAN? Firstly, resources that are recycled recycled are that resources Firstly, the constant need reduce or reused or mine new resources to extract and materials. products to produce used are of amounts Large resources often are that products to generate Reuse, a single use. after away thrown a resource keeps on the other hand, the economy, in around circling less input requires while recycling extraction. than new resource WHY ARE ARE AND REUSE WHY IMPORTANT? RECYCLING Thirdly, reuse and recycling reduce pollution and litter, which poses WHAT IS obvious environmental benefits. EXTENDED Fourthly, the recycling industry is a rapidly growing employer in South Africa. PRODUCER As people realise the inherent value RESPONSI­ of recycled goods, the mechanisms to collect and recycle these materials BILITY? adapt and grow to provide unemployed Extended producer responsibility (EPR) people with a means of income. The refers to the notion that a manufacturer’s size and diversity of the markets for responsibility for a product does not end recycled raw materials also continue to once the product is sold, but extends from expand as new applications for these its design to the end of its life and beyond. materials are discovered. New industries that sell reusable items, such as metal or One example of a lack of EPR is product bamboo straws instead of throw-away packaging that is perceived as “free” plastic ones, are also popping up. to consumers. When you buy milk, for instance, you tend to focus on the product Finally, the recycling industry is (the milk) instead of the packaging (the competitive, with large quantities of milk bottle, carton or sachet). But not recyclables having to be collected to only are you paying for the packaging, make the industry financially viable. At you, along with government, are also present, the recycling value chain starts carrying the cost of disposing of it, with buy-back centres or some MRFs that while the manufacturer goes scot-free. pay collectors for their recyclable waste material. Prices differ depending on the This is why NEM:WA has established material and market demand. These EPR as a regulatory mechanism to recyclables are generally sorted further manage waste. There are two main and baled (bundled), as well-sorted types of EPR initiatives in South Africa: and baled materials fetch higher prices. voluntary initiatives, in which producers Generally, the most valuable recyclable have the option to participate, and materials are steel, copper, aluminium, mandatory initiatives, which compel brass, mercury and zinc from appliances, selected industries to participate, and light fixtures, cladding, flashing, plumbing, have been initiated or implemented wiring and structural materials. through government regulation.

58 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 59 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART EPR initiatives are varied and include varied are EPR initiatives (e.g. programmes take-back product ofreturn used printer cartridges), of return systems (e.g. deposit-refund fees product for a deposit), glass bottles as well as laws on minimum and taxes, All of these hold content. recycled accountable and are manufacturers In South in many countries. mandatory Act Protection the Consumer Africa, 68 of Pricing 2008 and the National 2016, Management, Waste for Strategy will help us implement EPR. Metals in particular are Metals in particular are valuable non-renewable highly that are resources The and reusable. recyclable contains a finite amount Earth and mining and refining of metal, is it into a usable product financially and environmentally it both makes This costly. to necessary and attractive of on it instead recycle keeping it until we run out. extracting

RENEWABLE? RENEWABLE? THE ALL MORE REASON TO RECYCLE and metal ores minerals, Earth and petroleum fossil fuels (coal, all considered gas) are natural as resources, non-renewable their supply will not replenish the Earth. from once taken NON- An example ofAn example a successful voluntary Oil Saves is the Recycling EPR initiative (ROSE) Foundation’s the Environment lubricating used to recycle initiative of PETCO, Another is the efforts oil. role fulfils the EPR a company that for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic industry by taking for post-consumer responsibility Africa. in South recycling bottle PET Government is currently identifying Check Products consisting of multiple products, groups of products or material types, which make them waste streams for EPR. The following difficult to recover in traditional types of products are candidates: recycling systems. Examples include packaging, electronics and vehicles. Check Products with toxic constituents, which may become a problem Product stewardship is similar to EPR, once the product has reached the but less regulatory. It means that all end of its useful life. Examples parties who are involved in producing, include batteries, electronics, used selling or using a product – including oil, pharmaceuticals, paint and designers, suppliers, manufacturers, paint products (latex oil-based distributors, retailers, consumers, paints and thinners), pesticides, recyclers and waste disposers – should radioactive materials, and take responsibility for the product’s full products containing mercury and environmental and economic impact. cadmium, including thermometers, Product stewardship is becoming thermostats, electrical switches increasingly popular, recognising (including automotive switches) and that all parties have a role to play. fluorescent lamps.

Check Large products that are not easily and conveniently thrown out as waste. Examples include carpets, building materials, television sets, computers, appliances, tyres, propane tanks and gas canisters.

60 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 61 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Once a waste type is declared type is declared Once a waste anyone handling a priority, to the it needs to adhere for additional requirements The handling such waste. management of priority waste ban may include a complete as such waste, on generating export, or well as on its import disposal and transportation. of producers priority The subject to often waste are due to EPR requirements the high cost of managing these waste types. Some waste types are particularly particularly are Some waste types hazardous to humans, dangerous and difficult to the environment, may be either This to manage. quantity, because of their nature, with risk or interaction toxicity, waste These other elements. “priority declared types are for example, Asbestos, waste”. as it as such, has been declared and problems causes respiratory and has been phased asbestosis, out in most countries worldwide, including South Africa. WHAT IS IS WHAT PRIORITY WASTE? WHAT IS COMPOSTING, AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF OUR WASTE?

WHAT IS There are many benefits to composting. For instance, when you COMPOSTING? turn organic materials such as food and garden waste into compost, Composting is the biological these no longer contribute to the decomposition of organic waste production of the harmful landfill such as food or plant material. The gas methane, which reduces your waste is broken down by bacteria, carbon footprint. The composting fungi, worms and other organisms process also encourages the under controlled, oxygen-rich production of beneficial micro- (aerobic) conditions. The end organisms. In addition, it often product of composting is partially attracts earthworms, which have decayed organic matter called a built-in function to break down “humus” or “compost”, which offers organic matter and convert it excellent nourishment for soil and into nutrients for the soil. stimulates plant growth. Compost can also help regenerate poor soils.

TIP: The Energy chapter on page 173 of the Smart Living Handbook provides more details on how to determine your carbon footprint.

62 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 63 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Not generating waste in the waste in the Not generating key way to first place is a carbon footprint. your reduce example: a simple look at Let’s If a banana and place you eat the rubbish the banana peel in up on a landfill it will end bin, it will be covered Here, site. it that and compacted so decomposes without oxygen will process This (anaerobic). which has gas, methane create a global warming potential than carbon 21 times greater to your thus adding dioxide, If same that carbon footprint. composted, banana peel were it would have decomposed and (aerobic), with oxygen environmental the negative impact would have been much while the nutrients lower, would have been returned would have That to the Earth. shrunk your carbon footprint. Our carbon footprint is a Our carbon footprint is a of carbon how much measure and other methane dioxide, gases we create greenhouse Your our lifestyles. through linked carbon footprint is directly how much you buy, to what and the amount of you travel, more The waste you generate. the bigger waste you generate, as the your carbon footprint, packaging, manufacturing, and disposal of the transport you use all generate products When you gases. greenhouse all greenhouse buy a product, product to that gases relating added are and its packaging to your carbon footprint, including the methane produced waste once by the product you have disposed of it. WHAT IS OUR IS OUR WHAT CARBON FOOTPRINT, AND HOW RELATE DOES IT WASTE? TO Therefore, the zero-waste philosophy WHAT ARE THE aims for intelligent industrial design, ZERO-WASTE drawing on the principles and examples of natural ecosystems, where waste from PHILOSOPHY one cycle becomes food for another. AND CIRCULAR WHAT IS THE ECONOMY? CIRCULAR WHAT IS THE ECONOMY? ZERO-WASTE One of the key tools to implement the zero-waste philosophy is the circular PHILOSOPHY? economy. Traditionally, our economy has been linear in terms of materials: The zero-waste philosophy relates to We make goods, use them, and then the first step in the integrated waste dispose of them. The circular economy management hierarchy, namely the is an alternative economic model. Under complete elimination or avoidance such a model, we keep goods and of waste. It calls for a new approach materials in use for as long as possible, to the design and manufacturing of extracting maximum value from them. products so that no waste is created. Once they reach the end of their life, The ideal is to be able to reuse or recycle we recover and regenerate them, all materials and substances used in minimising disposal or incineration. any process, either into the same or another process. In that way, nothing The essence of a circular economy is to will ever become unwanted or wasted. preserve natural resources by retaining the quality and value of products, The zero-waste philosophy looks to nature their parts and the materials used to for inspiration. Take the ant, for example. make them. A circular economy also Together, all the ants on the planet have separates the value chains of renewable a greater biomass than all of humanity. resources (“biological nutrients”) and They have been industrious for millions of non-renewable resources (“technical years. Their productivity nourishes plants, nutrients”), as they require different animals and soil. Nothing is wasted and technologies and methods. everything flows back into the system. In contrast, in the past 100 years alone, human industry has caused the health of all the planet’s ecosystems to deteriorate.

64 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 65 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART thinking and behaviour – from how how and behaviour – from thinking to and services, products we design use, distribute, how we manufacture, ultimately, and, recycle repair, reuse, dispose of or services. these products LINEAR ECONOMY CIRCULAR ECONOMY To get to a circular economy, we need we need economy, get to a circular To including government, all stakeholders, and households sector, the private and to be committed communities, us to change our It requires involved. WASTE MANAGEMENT IN OUR CITY

LEGAL FRAME­- CURRENT WORKS WASTE Municipalities are responsible for ensuring the CHALLENGES removal and disposal of waste in their areas, in partnership with the private sector and local IN CAPE TOWN community. By law, every municipality needs Despite a recent shift towards waste to prepare an Integrated Development Plan diversion through recycling and (IDP), which should include an Integrated composting, most of Cape Town’s Waste Management Plan (IWMP). waste has historically been managed through landfill disposal. However, as the As explained earlier, NEM:WA calls on population continues to grow, the pressure South Africans to embrace the integrated on our existing landfill sites increases, so waste management hierarchy and strive alternative options are being explored for zero waste. To support this, the City and implemented where feasible. of Cape Town promulgated its Integrated Waste Management By-law in 2009. This Exacerbating the waste challenge is by-law, which has since seen amendments illegally dumped waste. Cleaning up in 2010 and 2016, consolidates decades illegally dumped waste is much more of fragmented regulations and local rules expensive than regular waste collections to provide better waste management. from households. The City spends vast It also includes economic incentives to sums of money every year clearing illegally support waste minimisation and recycling. dumped waste across town, including on beaches, in canals, rivers, roadsides and streets, and on vacant plots. Illegally dumped waste also has ramifications for Cape Town’s stormwater networks. As litter is washed down the stormwater channels, it blocks the system and causes environmental and health hazards.

66 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 67 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Most old landfills still rely rely Most old landfills still clay soil barriers on natural leachate toxic to prevent entering groundwater from this is Fortunately, systems. Town’s not the case on Cape landfill sites. operating production leachate Note that is not limited to landfill sites. can leachate instance, For by factories, also be produced sites mines or storage by industrial contaminated materials. chemicals or toxic When waste is not properly managed managed is not properly When waste environment the natural and contained, cannot use, by substances it is polluted harmful are and that absorb or manage, just example, For to living organisms. of or one litre can contaminate used oil of water. poison a million litres precious into natural poured chemicals Toxic damage all the systems can water those systems contain. organisms often and animals are birds Moreover, to pollutants such as plastic exposed which cause distress bags or oil, water underground Even or death. can be polluted by waste leachate, it unfit for use. which makes LEACHATE to decay on a As waste starts a liquid it produces landfill site, may Leachate called leachate. contain high concentrations of metals or other heavy hazardous environmentally If untreated, left substances. it could poison soil and modern On new, groundwater. the cells in which landfill sites, usually waste is deposited are layer lined with a watertight and the to avoid seepage, is pumped to on-site leachate this where plants for treatment is possible and necessary. WHAT THE IS WHAT NEGATIVE ­ ENVIRON MENTAL OF IMPACT WASTE? METHANE Once generated, it remains in our atmosphere for hundreds of Methane is one of the primary years. It is possible to capture greenhouse gases – gases the methane in a landfill through that are trapped in the Earth’s a sophisticated engineering atmosphere and lead to climate system, but this is complex and change. Methane is produced costly. A more affordable option when organic waste on landfill is to compost organic material sites decays in the absence of to reduce the chance of landfill- oxygen (anaerobically). It is more related methane being produced. harmful than carbon dioxide, as it traps approximately 21 times more heat, which goes on to warm our Earth and disrupt our climate.

Check drop-off facilities for recyclables, CITY WASTE garage and green waste, builders’ rubble and household MANAGEMENT hazardous waste;

SERVICES Check sanitary landfilling to dispose of residual general, non-recyclable The City provides professional engineering waste, as well as the safe disposal of and environmental services to ensure hazardous waste; and that waste is managed and disposed of in a legally compliant, responsible and Check cleansing services for street bins environmentally acceptable manner. and public areas, including beaches.

These services are: City services to ensure waste

Check waste collection from both residents reduction include: and businesses; Check sorting of recyclables at drop- off facilities for sale into the Check waste transfer by road and rail, via recycling market; large refuse transfer stations;

Check chipping of green waste for off-site Check waste processing; composting;

Check composting of domestic waste;

68 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 69 by-law enforcement and and by-law enforcement the after compliance monitoring issuing of dumping fines. Special Equipment Unit services Unit services Special Equipment of(such as for the removal bulky waste); and illegally dumped cleaning of areas; cleaning hawker servicing ofservicing tankers; water SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Once a week, the Solid Waste Waste the Solid Once a week, collects Management Department in formal households waste from for Charges wheelie bins. 240-litre on a based this waste service are year, Every and policy. tariff structure valued under a certain properties an incremental amount receive on their first wheelie bin. rebate recycling An additional (140-litre) container per household is also areas. being piloted in certain WASTE WASTE COLLECTION FOR SERVICE FORMAL HOUSEHOLDS

provision and servicing ofprovision street- bins; pole litter of picking and clearing litter illegal dumping; kerbside collection, handling and handling and collection, kerbside of waste in processing recyclable MRFs; crushing of builders’ rubble at into the landfill sites for sale and market; distribution of home composting to containers to residents home. at composting encourage

SERVICES CLEANSING Management Waste Solid City’s The the general ensures Department streets Town’s ofcleanliness Cape including our and public spaces, They rivers and canal banks. beaches, of also oversee the removal animal land and roads, public from carcasses collection in and refuse and cleaning they In addition, informal settlements. planning waste management offer and partners, advice to the City’s services for special events. cleansing services include: Other cleansing Check Check Check Check Check WASTE COLLECTION Industrial properties must use private service providers who specifically cater SERVICE FOR for their needs, including special and INFORMAL hazardous waste. Private providers wishing to offer refuse collection SETTLEMENTS services to commercial or industrial properties (or any other waste All informal settlements receive service) in Cape Town must first gain integrated refuse collection and accreditation in terms of the City’s by-law. area-cleaning services. Each informal dwelling is given blue refuse bags, which are collected every week by a COLLECTION municipal service provider and taken to a central container for removal. The OF HOUSEHOLD service provider is also responsible for RECYCLABLES clearing litter and dumped material to an agreed standard of cleanliness. AT SOURCE

Currently, the City’s tariff structure does COMMERCIAL not offer a financial incentive for single households who actively participate in AND INDUSTRIAL waste minimisation, including waste WASTE COLLECTION separation and recycling. Yet the City aims to establish an effective system ARRANGEMENTS for waste separation at source.

While residents must use the City’s refuse To this end, the Think Twice separation-at- collection services, owners of commercial source programme is being implemented properties may choose to use the refuse in certain suburbs. It entails the services of the City or a private service separation of waste and recyclables at provider. For clients with greater waste home, with different vehicles coming needs, such as businesses, the City offers to collect the respective waste streams. an enhanced refuse collection service The participating households are issued three or five times per week, which is clear refuse bags or 140-litre recycling charged per wheelie bin per collection. bins to be filled with recyclables, such This is aimed at encouraging businesses as glass, paper and plastic. Where to generate less waste wherever possible. bags are used, one replacement bag is issued per household per week.

70 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 71 OFF -OFF Business and commercial waste waste Business and commercial is also not accepted here. Drop-off facilities do not accept facilities do not accept Drop-off food waste. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check CITY DROP CITY than more operates city The facilities where 20 drop-off their bulky households can deposit waste, garage non-hazardous waste, builders’ rubble waste, garden sites not These and recyclables. illegal dumping in only reduce the but also facilitate Town, Cape of recycling types of various waste. waste garden At many drop-offs, composting, is chipped for off-site and diverted are while recyclables Certain industry. sold to the recycling items such even accept drop-offs which or old bricks, as wood offcuts or recycled. can also be reused off their waste for can drop Residents using on any day offree the week, a vehicle with a carrying capacity of is no While there up to 1,5 tonnes. limit on the amount of recyclables households off, may be dropped that daily loads of three to restricted are waste or garden clean waste, garage such as broken builders’ rubble, clean cement and plaster. stone, sand, bricks, the following in mind: Keep Check FACILITIES FACILITIES The City maintains and operates City maintains and operates The and various waste processing transfer refuse facilities, treatment to MRFs and landfill sites stations, all waste is responsibly that ensure managed and disposed of. waste is Town’s Cape Currently, sent to two municipal landfill sites, and in the north Vissershok namely sites These in the south. Park Coastal although waste only, accept general some also accommodates Vissershok private A waste. low-risk hazardous waste landfill site is situated hazardous site. Vissershok adjacent to the City’s geologically suitable sites for Finding Town is becoming Cape landfills in a In fact, difficult. increasingly to finalise the process protracted and establishment of location the landfill site is still new regional City’s waste Town’s Cape Ultimately, ongoing. over longer will need to be transported which will push up tariffs. distances, MANAGEMENT OF OF MANAGEMENT AND FACILITIES SITES LANDFILL On average, the initiative has managed has managed initiative the On average, 1 000 tonnes of over to divert every month landfill from recyclables of awareness the and has raised In the medium ofimportance recycling. the City aims to offer to long term, separation-at-source an appropriate household. Town Cape service to each plans to achieve on strategic Work methods cost-effective this and more continues. source of at separation Check Household hazardous waste is To encourage Capetonians to accepted only at the special drop- recycle, the City has loaded a Waste offs at the Athlone refuse transfer Recyclers app onto its website. station and Bellville integrated waste management facility. BUILDERS’ RUBBLE Check Garden waste should preferably be in bundles not exceeding 1,2 m in CRUSHING length and 60 mm in cross-section. The City has contracted a private-sector service provider to stream and crush Check Vehicles’ carrying capacity must not builders’ rubble (contact Solid Waste exceed 1,5 tonnes. Management Department for more information), for supply to the recycling Check Non-recyclable or reusable waste will market. At these sites, instead of having be transported to landfill for disposal. builders’ rubble occupy precious airspace, it is crushed and used for roadworks and OTHER WAYS other construction. The rubble is also used internally on the sites for cover, TO RECYCLE capping and road-building purposes. In addition to the City’s drop-off facilities, there are many private drop-off sites and buy-back centres that can help residents HOME COMPOSTING recycle. Some schools offer recycling PROGRAMME drop-off sites, and the money raised Feasibility studies have found that through the sale of recyclable material the distribution of home composting is ploughed back into the schools. containers to residents is an effective Residents who live outside the City’s waste minimisation strategy. In fact, it Think Twice separation-at-source diverts 15–20 kg of organic waste (fruit recyclable collection areas have a range and vegetable waste and grass cuttings) of private-sector recycling collectors per household per month from landfill and to choose from. These providers will facilitates separation of organic waste at collect recyclables from your home on a source. Further, socio-economic benefits weekly basis for a nominal monthly fee. include improved soil quality and food security, as well as the chance to enable entrepreneurs or community groups to grow and distribute fresh produce. Turn to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for instructions on how to access the Waste Recyclers app and locate your closest school or private drop- off facility or buy-back centre.

72 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 73 used oil from its depots, drop- its depots, used oil from and electricity generators offs, substations. scrap metal from its operations, its operations, metal from scrap and depots and drop-offs; wooden cable drums from wooden cable drums from municipal electricity operations; waste paper and cardboard from from waste paper and cardboard City offices; SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check have been Campaigns awareness to raise introduced of some of contracts. these Check Check CITY OF CAPE OF CAPE CITY INTERNAL TOWN RECYCLING PROGRAMME the City appoints year, Every and recycle: to remove contractors Check campaign has helped campaign has helped Twice Think The The 10–15 tonnes of recycle paper and cardboard facilities. over 250 different per month from The City’s home composting home composting City’s The approximately distributes programme free per year 5 000 containers formal in of to residents charge which areas, households with yard for successful is a requirement venues Distribution composting. or recreation include community The and libraries. civic centres halls, visit two such generally on-site teams to over three venues per subcouncil making a limited number of four days, a composting containers available on each day first-come first-served basis date, To even distribution. to ensure have Town Cape throughout residents the initiative. enthusiastically embraced home composting containers The also available by the City are provided having However, most nurseries. at a City container is by no means establishing a for a prerequisite Any home. composting system at can area with a garden resident by separating composting start vegetable and fruit, their organic and source, waste at garden soft simply use a compost heap. COMMUNICATION, INTEGRATED WASTE EDUCATION AND EXCHANGE

PUBLIC AWARENESS The Integrated Waste Exchange (IWEX) SERVICES is a free online system that enables waste generators and users to exchange The Solid Waste Management waste materials. Believing that “one Department presents various waste person’s garbage is another person’s education and awareness initiatives gold”, IWEX facilitates waste reuse, aimed at communities, schools and thereby conserving energy, minimising higher education institutions, businesses, resource use and reducing the pressure industries and individual residents. The on Cape Town’s landfill space. The goal is to encourage people to recycle, service is available to anyone who minimise their waste and choose the generates or uses waste, including best practical ways to improve waste companies, individuals, institutions, conditions in their community. schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups. Information is shared on how to: Taking part in IWEX poses multiple Check become waste-wise by avoiding, benefits, particularly to companies. It: recycling and diverting waste; Check turns fixed costs for waste storage, Check compost; transport and disposal into savings;

Check see waste as an opportunity; Check gives you a competitive edge in sustainable resource use; Check ensure general cleanliness and environmental health; and Check unlocks a market for your company’s unwanted materials; Check ensure compliance with municipal by-laws and relevant legislation, Check lowers your raw material or input particularly in industries costs by helping you locate generating waste. alternative suppliers that offer the perfect input material for your This is done through a range of projects business at a competitive price; and and events, including school visits, mall exhibitions, community events, housing Check improves your company’s consumer programmes, waste education environmental and social to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking, responsibility image. litter bin education and waste education around canals and other watercourses. Consult “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” to find out where to access IWEX information online.

74 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 75 2 . CONTACTS CONTACTS create 143 jobs (25 directly in in jobs (25 directly 143 create member companies). generate R43,08 million in in R43,08 million generate financial benefits (additional cost savings and private revenue, investments); and cut fossil greenhouse gas gas cut fossil greenhouse (equivalent emissions by 73 831 ofto the installation nine 2,2 MW wind turbines); divert 27 436 metric tonnes of 27 436 metric tonnes divert landfill; waste from The link to the WISP section WISP section link to the The website is of the GreenCape available under “ AND RESOURCES” SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check In its first five years of operation, WISP WISP years five In its first of operation, to: managed Check WASTE WASTE ENTREPRENEURS number of entrepreneurial A innovative have been established in initiatives recycling to encourage Town Cape waste management. and integrated small enterprises or Many are schools and community based at these initiatives Sadly, organisations. financial difficulty experience often as prices of fluctuate. recyclables time and to the passion, thanks Yet, ofenergy community volunteers, a difference. they continue to make cut costs and increase profit; cut costs and increase their business improve processes; streams; new revenue create one another; and from learn sustainably. more operate GreenCape 2018. GreenCape

2 The Western Cape Industrial Industrial Cape Western The (WISP) is Programme Symbiosis free a multiple award-winning, funded by the service facilitation by and delivered Town City of Cape organisation a non-profit GreenCape, (NPO) originally established by the government to support Cape Western green the development of the region’s expertly WISP facilitators economy. connect member companies with of resources the unused or residual such as materials, other businesses, logistics and assets, water, energy, range WISP companies expertise. and come from to mega micro from including ofa vast array industries, food, textile and manufacturing. By sharing their resources, WISP members: Check Check Check Check Check WESTERN CAPE CAPE WESTERN INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS PROGRAMME Here are a few examples: Check The Hout Bay Recycling Primary Co-operative is a rare example of a Check The Oasis Association is an NGO successful waste management co- that seeks to improve the lives of operative and has been operating persons with intellectual disabilities successfully for nearly ten years. through a range of activities. They collect recyclables from Their primary income generator schools, restaurants and some is a recycling project, which is homes in Hout Bay, which are then supported by approximately 150 taken to the City’s Hout Bay drop- domestic recyclers who drop off off, where they are stationed. The their recyclables daily. Oasis also recyclables are sorted and collected collects recyclables from over by a recycling company, who pays 500 businesses. The project has for the items. generated much-needed income for Oasis’s day centres, group Check Afrakan ReCreations was homes and workshops catering for established after a fire destroyed over 450 adults and children with thousands of informal homes in intellectual disabilities. In addition, Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, in 2017. Oasis has opened three charity It recycles waste from film sets and shops stocked with the household building sites, and redistributes the items donated at their recycling materials to fire victims to rebuild drop-off. For the Oasis Association’s their homes. details, turn to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”.

Check

76 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 77

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Try practising the integrated waste waste the integrated practising Try day-to-day routine. principles in your of waste, by avoiding the creation Start products considering the carefully to buy) and you buy (or refuse that home to conducting a waste audit at types of waste understand the different Most your household generates. that high-income households produce glass, plastic, volumes oflarge metal, mostly in waste, paper and cardboard Some of the form of it can packaging. of instead be recycled being sent to landfill; some of not be rather it should as it is not in the first place, purchased Low- Town. in Cape recyclable currently income households tend to generate a smaller amount of and much waste larger but produce less packaging, quantities of waste or ash. organic AT HOME HOME AT is possible only if progress Real waste integrated everyone practises or the zero-waste management, and pursues a circular philosophy, the way need to rethink We economy. with starting doing things, we are waste avoidance and moving towards “reduce”, (avoid), the six Rs: “refuse” and “rot” “recycle” “repurpose”, “reuse”, Only then will sustainable (compost). living become as instinctive as looking the street. crossing both ways before LIVING LIVING SUSTAINABLY RESPONSIBLE WASTE WASTE RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT LIVING THE AVOID CREATING ZERO-WASTE WASTE (OR REFUSE PRINCIPLES TO CREATE WASTE) The first and most important step is to When managing your waste at home, the reduce the amount of waste you create, basic principles to consider are: or to avoid creating it in the first place.

Check avoiding or reducing the waste Here are some practical tips: you produce; Check Think twice: Do you really need that Check reusing products or materials plastic bag or straw? Start refusing wherever possible; these items that are simply handed out, and you will soon realise that Check separating recyclable and many people support your way compostable materials from other of thinking. rubbish; and

Check Take your own bags along to the Check ensuring that these are recycled grocery store. or composted.

Check Consider non-material gifts, such In this way, you will be reducing the as a night out, cooking a dinner amount of waste that goes to landfill. or doing something with the kids. These principles form part of the full Create memories instead of waste. set of principles underpinning the zero- Check Avoid buying overpackaged waste philosophy, which we will achieve products, such as plastic-wrapped only if society as a whole, including vegetables in polystyrene trays. It is business and industry, embrace it. best to buy at a farmers’ market and Other principles include redesigning take your own bags. or remanufacturing materials or services, repairing instead of replacing Check Think again before printing a goods, refurbishing or repurposing document to minimise paper use. used products and, as a last resort, recovering the energy from materials. Check Buy only what you need, and consider buying some items in bulk, Blogger and author Bea Johnson has refills or concentrates, as these turned the zero-waste philosophy into generally require less packaging. a global movement with her best-seller book Zero Waste Home. See “CONTACTS Check Buy products that include recycled AND RESOURCES” for a link where or recyclable materials, such as you can read more on her philosophy kitchen towels and shampoo bottles to pursue zero waste at home. with recycled plastic content.

78 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 79 Plastic tubs and milk or juice Plastic tubs and milk or juice with a wax or plastic cartons pots excellent make coating for seedlings. Use both sides of any piece of it. recycling paper before Cut used paper into squares to to Cut used paper into squares as notepads. reuse Reuse gift bags, gift paper and paper and gift bags, gift Reuse cards. greeting Take items such as cardboard items such as cardboard Take jars, egg boxes, cores, toilet-roll paper tubs and scrap margarine projects. to local schools for art you only items or rent Borrow such as kids’ time, use for a short or and prams car seats carriers, or power tools. projects, DIY certain containers food in reusable Store ofinstead cling non-recyclable which is made from or foil, wrap aluminium. resource-intensive Repair items instead of throwing of items instead Repair throwing your local Support them away. bike shoemaker, seamstress, also This and the like. shop repair and the employment stimulates economy in your community. Take your old furniture to a City to a City your old furniture Take facility. drop-off Donate unwanted gifts, clothes, clothes, unwanted gifts, Donate to a books toys or furniture, school. charity or SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check for these handy ideas a look at Take household goods: reusing Check Check Check Check Buy a refillable glass bottle and and glass bottle Buy a refillable of instead it for your water reuse water. buying plastic bottled with glass bottles Return deposits to shops for reuse. bags or, plastic grocery Reuse cloth use durable even better, bags when you go shopping. Choose durable items over items over Choose durable soon need you will products to replace. using disposable products Avoid or razors such as disposable paper plates. do not products These Buy local. they which means as far, travel and are less packaging require Clocking up less “food fresher. also cause local products miles”, transport. less pollution through and gift your own gifts Make of instead wrapping always can be This buying new items. and and fun, very innovative you will be saving the planet in the process.

REUSE YOUR REUSE YOUR ITEMS WASTE If the you cannot avoid or reduce consider ofgeneration waste, your waste how you can reuse ofinstead it. just recycling some pointers: are Here Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Use old T-shirts or underwear as ORGANIC WASTE rags for cleaning or dusting. FOR COMPOSTING Check Use brown paper bags with sand as A large amount of waste is often organic containers for beach candles. (compostable), such as vegetable and fruit Most charities are willing to accept peels and food scraps. These should be clothing, furniture, books, toys and tools, separated from the rest of your household which can either directly support needy waste and placed into a compost heap, families or be sold to raise funds for their worm farm or composting container to work. In many cases, the organisations make nutrient-rich, free compost for your will even arrange for the materials garden. It also helps reduce the amount to be collected from your home. of methane gas created. Easy tips on how to make your own compost are provided in the biodiversity section, a subsection of SEPARATE YOUR the Environment chapter of this handbook. WASTE AT HOME

The waste you end up with, after reducing and reusing what you can, will need to be separated at home to be managed responsibly. Set up a system in your ORGANIC household to create separate streams WASTE of organic waste for composting, The following things can packaging waste for recycling, and be used in most compost other rubbish, which will go to landfill. heaps or worm farms:

Check Vegetable and fruit peelings, tea leaves and tea bags, coffee granules, eggshells (avoid meat, bones and dairy, unless suitably managed)

Check Garden waste, such as grass cuttings, leaves and dead flowers

ORGANIC Check Small quantities of paper, cardboard, sawdust and wood shavings, woodfire ash and seaweed, which helps absorb moisture

80 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 81 for a useful for a useful CONTACTS AND AND CONTACTS “ Store your recyclables indoors indoors your recyclables Store until you can access a recycling site. collection or drop-off Try to keep your glass separate, your glass separate, to keep Try and contaminate as it can break the other recyclables. Have clearly marked bins for bins for marked Have clearly and organics your recyclables, rubbish. Start with a three-bin system, if system, a three-bin with Start separating means This possible. your dry waste (recyclables), waste (for composting) organic and wet waste (rubbish for landfill). RESOURCES” website. link on the City’s Turn to the section on to the section on Turn biodiversity for tips on how to set up a compost Alternatively, heap. consult SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check it kitchen waste, your organic For container on helps to place a sealable your kitchen counter or in your fridge. or Empty it onto your compost heap your composting container daily. Check Check HOW TO SET UP UP SET TO HOW SEPARATION A FOR YOUR SYSTEM HOME AT WASTE a few useful tips to are Here get started: Check less consumption of raw ofless consumption raw materials; to consumption less energy new items; manufacture less air pollution caused by burning waste; and pollution less groundwater seepage caused by leachate landfills. from

Recycling has many benefits and and has many benefits Recycling of part responsible is an integral in your home. waste management benefits of environmental The include: recycling Check Check Check Check RECYCLING The following table will help you decide which waste types are recyclable:

RUBBISH/WASTE TO LANDFILL MIXED RECYCLABLES – Things you cannot recycle, and will go to – Things you can recycle your rubbish bin and end up on a landfill site

Check Wet or dirty paper: tissues, paper Check Paper and cardboard towels, food wrappings, paper with Check Tins and cans spills, paper plates and cups Check Glass bottles and jars Check Wax or plastic-coated packaging: milk Check Plastic bottles and cartons, pet food bags, potato bags containers Check Soiled paper and cardboard: Check Polystyrene pizza boxes Check Milk and juice cartons with Check Certain types of paper: carbon cardboard and foil paper, stickers, self-adhesive paper, chemically treated fax or photo paper Note that these items need to be “washed and squashed”, meaning Check Chip packets they must be cleaned, dried and Check Cigarette butts flattened. Check Cling wrap used over food

Check Plastic sandwich and other moulded trays, including PET-moulded trays or polyolefin plastics (no. 2, 4 and 5)

Check Nappies

Note that while some of these items could be composted, they cannot be recycled.

82 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 83 ORGANIC WASTE bags tea e.g. Alternatively, arrange for it for it arrange Alternatively, to be collected by a private the collector (consult recycling app for a list of Recyclers Waste collectors in your area). Sell your recyclable waste to a waste to a Sell your recyclable (look on the buy-back centre app). Recyclers Waste Donate your recyclables to to your recyclables Donate or church a local school, organisation/ community facility (also drop-off recycling Waste available on the City’s app). Recyclers SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check To help you find the best way to you find the best way to help To it for your waste and separate reduce it is important or composting, recycling to do a household waste audit. HOUSEHOLD HOUSEHOLD AUDIT WASTE

NON-RECYCLABLE cling wrap e.g. Participate in the City’s in the City’s Participate recycling separation-at-source if collection programme Check the available in your area. app on the City’s Recyclers Waste website to see whether your area (see ofis part the programme AND RESOURCES” “CONTACTS for details). to your your recyclables Take it (locate City drop-off nearest under using the link provided AND RESOURCES” “CONTACTS or find on the City’s website). or find on the City’s

e.g. glass e.g. RECYCLABLE Here are some ways to ensure that your your that some ways to ensure are Here market: recycling the reach recyclables Check Check HOW TO ENSURE TO HOW YOUR THAT IS WASTE DRY RECYCLED Choose a week in which you list all your household waste under the your household waste under the Choose a week in which you list all following headings: Take time to examine the products Paper products that cannot be that you would usually throw away. recycled include: See which of those can be recycled or Check wet or dirty paper, such as tissues, composted. If you do not want to sift paper towels, food wrappings, through dirty waste, a tip is to have a paper with spills, paper plates and look inside your grocery cupboards to cups (although many of these may see what you will be throwing out. alternatively be composted if not Keep all the recyclable products aside and covered with waxy or plastic layers, find your closest drop-off site or buy-back or too contaminated with cooked centre where these can be dropped off. food, oil or inks); For your organic waste, create a compost Check plastic-coated packaging, such as heap or get a composting container. pet food bags and potato bags; Combined, these efforts will reduce the amount of waste you throw away. Check carbon paper, stickers and self- adhesive paper; and

RECYCLING SPECIFIC Check chemically treated fax or TYPES OF WASTE photo paper.

PAPER AND CARDBOARD To get more information on paper It takes an astonishing 17 trees to make recycling, turn to “CONTACTS one tonne of paper. The good news is AND RESOURCES” for the web that cardboard and paper are excellent address of the recycling arm of the for recycling. Paper recycling takes 40% Paper Manufacturers Association less energy and 30% less water compared of South Africa (PAMSA), to new paper production. Recycled known as RecyclePaperZA. paper products are often used to make cardboard for cereal boxes, or moulded paper products such as egg boxes. CANS AND METAL When recycling paper and cardboard, try to separate white office paper from Recycling tins and cans saves about 95% magazines and newspapers. Also flatten of the energy needed to make a new cardboard boxes to save space. can from raw material. It does not matter whether cans are crushed, rusted or burnt – they can all be recycled. Currently, 72% of used beverage cans in Southern Africa are recovered, which is very good compared to European standards.

84 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 85

Laboratory glass Laboratory Car headlights Car Light bulbs and tubes, including including Light bulbs and tubes, lights fluorescent Mirrors and reinforced glass and reinforced Mirrors Sheet glass, such as windscreens such as windscreens Sheet glass, and window panes Cups, saucers and ceramic ware saucers and ceramic Cups, Drinking glasses “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” “CONTACTS contains contact details for checking glass these non-recyclable where can be disposed ofproducts safely. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check GLASS in landfills. not decompose Glass does It is made of sand and can be melted one recycling In fact, down and reused. electricity saves enough glass bottle hours. bulb for four to light a 100 W be kept glass should Ideally, other recyclables from separate now, For to avoid breakage. it is still accepted along however, recyclables. with your mixed to on how and where more For contact the glass glass, recycle The industry body, manufacturers (see (TGRC) Company Glass Recycling AND RESOURCES”). “CONTACTS either are following glass products The melting or have different laminated them unsuitable which makes points, so do not put them in a for recycling, bin: glass recycling Check Rinse food tins thoroughly Rinse food tins thoroughly having after – it is best to do this washed your dishes. squash them to Once clean, save space. be kept Motor oil cans must (see for oil recycling separate “Motor oil” on page 94).

Note the following tips for the the following tips for Note the ofcollection cans: Check Check Check is an industry association Collect-a-Can Approach offor the recycling cans. specific information them for more (see “CONTACTS on can recycling AND RESOURCES” for their details). the global demand Moreover, metals is huge. for all steel scrap up to 50% of Africa exports the South 70% of Interestingly, it recovers. scrap metal comes straight scrap recycled not the industry waste stream, from can be metal Scrap consumers. from recycling community off at dropped or so-called “scrapyards” centres, your closest Find buy-back centres. service using the City’s recycling Alternatively, app. Recyclers Waste Association contact the Metal Recycler ofAfrica (details under South AND RESOURCES”). “CONTACTS PLASTIC To distinguish between the many different types of plastic and assist with recycling, Plastic is traditionally made from poly-logos (plastic identification logos) are petroleum-based chemicals (oil, coal provided on most products. The poly-logo and gas). However, new types of plastic has a number that identifies the plastic made from more sustainable, plant-based type, as the different types need to be oils are now also entering the market recycled separately. The following table (see “Plant plastic?” on the next page). provides a summary of the main plastic types, their application and recyclability.

GENERALLY NUMBER DESCRIPTION APPLICATION RECYCLABLE?

1 = PET Polyethylene Cooldrink, juice and water bottles; YES, except for terephthalate jars for peanut butter, salad dressings, moulded products, oil, cosmetics and some household such as food trays cleaners

2 = PE-HD High-density Motor oil containers, crates, milk bot- YES polyethylene tles, some domestic cleaner bottles, some cosmetic and toiletry containers

3 = PVC Polyvinyl chloride Clear trays for food packaging, toiletry NO containers, blister packs, chocolate containers, gutters and downpipes (white line visible when folded)

4 = PE-LD Low-density Garbage bags, frozen-vegetable bags, YES polyethylene some squeezy bottles, cosmetic tubes, dust covers and shrouds

5 = PP Polypropylene Bottle caps and closures, battery cases, YES, except for cups and plates, hinged or pill contain- moulded products, ers, buckets, flexible yoghurt containers such as food trays

6 = PS Polystyrene Disposable cups and plates, rigid YES yoghurt containers, foamed styrene trays, cosmetic tubs, retail coat hangers and toys, protective packaging (cracks easily when squashed)

7 = OTHER PA+PE-LD, ABS, Nylon and low-density polyethylene NO, except as a cellophane laminates; vacuum packaging for meat, component of cheeses; mainly multi-layer and special- products, such as ised packaging composite “plastic wood” products ABS is the plastic from which comput- ers are made.

86 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 87 PLANT PLANT PLASTIC? plastics away from In a shift petroleum- made from plant- based chemicals, based types of plastic on appearing now are the is Brazil the scene. second-largest world’s of producer ethanol fuel sugar cane and has from ethanol been producing In fuel for over 40 years. company Brazilian 2007, largest the Braskem, company in petrochemical developed America, Latin the technology to produce green ethylene from green ethanol and has since its continued to improve technology. production Plant-based plastic is physically and chemically identical to traditional, fossil fuel-based plastic. it can be means This in the same recycled chain used for recycling PE-HD. traditional SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART PETCO (for PET recycling) recycling) (for PET PETCO Responsibility (Polyolefin Polyco as Polyco) trading Organisation and PP PE-LD (for PE-HD, recycling) (South African Vinyls SAVA (for PVC Association) sustainability and recycling) of Association South Polystyrene Africa (for PS recycling) “CONTACTS AND AND Consult “CONTACTS RESOURCES” for how to contact any of these organisations.

In addition, “polyolefins” is the the “polyolefins” is In addition, that term for plastics collective 2), (no. whether PE-HD contain PET, as well as 5), (no. PP 4), PE-LD (no. low-density polyethylene, linear word The all recyclable. and are oil-like, “polyolefin” means or waxy texture denoting the oily of include PET. types that plastic and supports promotes Plastics SA including the plastics industry, joined by are They plastics recycling. various other industry associations the (NPOs) in the bid to expand ofrecycling post-consumer plastics. include the following: These Check Check Check Check MILK AND JUICE CARTONS BUILDERS’ RUBBLE

Cartons such as Tetra Pak, Tetra Brik When building or renovating your home, or SIG Combibloc are widely used keep builders’ rubble separate. Drop it off to package many fruit juices and at one of the City’s drop-offs or a private milk products. Finally, these milk and rubble-crushing company so that it can juice cartons are now recyclable in be recycled or reused for roadworks South Africa and are subsequently used and general construction. You may drop to make a variety of new products. The off up to three loads of builders’ rubble recycling of these cartons falls under per day at the City’s drop-offs, free of the paper recycling arm of PAMSA. charge, using a bakkie, trailer or light delivery vehicle with a carrying capacity GARDEN AND of up to 1,5 tonnes. The City’s landfill sites also accept larger loads of bricks, ORGANIC WASTE stone and concrete debris, as well as blocks with a diameter of up to 500 mm, If you are unable to compost your organic at the special builders’ rubble tariff. waste at home, the Organics Recycling However, the general waste tariff will be Association of South Africa (ORASA) may charged at landfills for builders’ rubble be able to assist. ORASA members capture contaminated with wood, plastic, glass, the value of organic waste in the economy garden refuse, ceramic tiles, tyres or by various means, including composting, cabling. Toxic materials are not accepted. fly farming, anaerobic digestion and others. Refer to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for ORASA’s contact details. COOKING OIL

Cooking oil harms the environment if not disposed of responsibly. This is especially felt in the aquatic (water- based) ecosystems: Any layer of oil stops air from getting into water, suffocating the entire river or lake. Unfortunately, most of South Africa’s used cooking oil goes back into the food chain in the form of pet food or livestock feed, or is used in disadvantaged communities for cooking. This could be dangerous to both human and animal health, as used cooking oil can cause cancer.

88 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 89 Irritant (ammonia, bleach). Keep Keep bleach). Irritant (ammonia, your skin or away from the product Irritants Handle with gloves. eyes. Flammable or ignitable (petrol, Flammable or ignitable (petrol, matches, diesel fuel, paraffin, and aerosols nail polish, thinners, containing alcohol). products or a naked away from Keep flame. exposed SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check HAZARDOUS HAZARDOUS WASTE is toxic waste is waste that Hazardous – due to – even in low concentrations properties. its chemical or physical waste is potentially As hazardous the environment, harmful to you and special handling according it requires always be dealt to type and must waste. general from with differently safe way to is no completely There dispose of waste. household hazardous technologies have various However, certain been developed to recycle In terms of disposing oftypes. the the best is to follow all safety rest, Because of and the cost precautions. with risk associated environmental it the disposal of waste, hazardous to ask yourself is important whether alternative is a safer (less toxic) there all, After buying the item. before Also than cure. is better prevention consider how you would safely dispose it. of you purchase the item before types of waste hazardous different The as follows: are and their effects Check for the details of CONTACTS AND AND CONTACTS accredited cooking oil collectors. cooking oil collectors. accredited RESOURCES” Turn to “ Turn The landfilling of waste remains an landfilling ofremains an The waste of part waste management, integral Our although as a last resort. always to first top priorities are of avoid the generation waste by and bringing buying responsibly along our own shopping bags, items wherever then to reuse recycle. to finally, possible and, LANDFILL AS AS LANDFILL RESORT LAST Yet it remains a valuable resource, a valuable resource, it remains Yet sometimes it is shame that and it is a or collected drain down the poured who simply by waste companies, Used cooking sites. dump it on landfill biodiesel, make oil can be used to to which is a good alternative Biodiesel diesel. petroleum-based biodegradable is named so for the from, it is manufactured materials for use in diesel while it is suitable While households would engines. large the not generate presumably quantities of oil found used cooking companies will certain in restaurants, quantities of collect reasonable used household cooking oil for recycling. of dispose small quantities of used To it to you can add home, cooking oil at Refrain or compost system. your garden or toilet. drain pouring it down the from can cause soreness or swelling of MEDIUM TO the skin, eyes, mucous membranes or the respiratory system. LOW-RISK

Check Corrosive (metal cleaners, car HAZARDOUS WASTE battery acid, drain and oven Medium to low-risk hazardous waste is cleaners, rust removers, bleach and usually generated in private industry and pool acid). These products eat away includes both liquid and solid waste, at materials. For example, when such as batteries, food waste, oils and paint thinner is poured into a plastic low-risk industrial waste. Residents cup, the cup dissolves. Do not allow can drop off certain types of low-risk any contact with skin. household hazardous waste at the City’s Athlone refuse transfer station and Check Dangerous, toxic or poisonous Bellville integrated waste management (paraffin or pesticides). These facility free of charge. Some of it will be substances will cause injury or death recycled, while the rest will be transferred if swallowed, absorbed or inhaled. to the Vissershok landfill if necessary. Check Explosive or reactive (drain cleaners, Always check whether a product is bleach-containing scrubbing and hazardous before handling it, storing it dishwashing detergents, especially or disposing of unused product or empty when combined with ammonia containers. If you would like a materials or other acids). These substances safety datasheet for a specific product, can cause an explosion or release request one from the supplier. They are poisonous fumes when exposed to required by law to supply you with one. air, water or other chemicals.

Check Infectious (soiled nappies, condoms, infected needles). These can spread EXTREME AND disease and infections. HIGH-RISK HAZARDOUS WASTE For links to more information While the Vissershok landfill accepts on how to manage hazardous medium to low-risk hazardous waste if it waste, consult “CONTACTS has been screened and a special waste AND RESOURCES”. permit has been obtained, extreme and high-risk hazardous waste is not accepted.

Certain types of high-risk hazardous waste may be dropped off at the City’s Athlone refuse transfer station and Bellville integrated waste management facility free of charge. Some of it will be recycled; the rest will be transferred to the private hazardous-waste landfill adjacent to the City’s Vissershok site if necessary.

90 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 91 Buy only enough for your Buy only enough for your needs to avoid immediate products. storing dangerous Select the least toxic products products toxic Select the least work for you in your home. that carrying the South Detergents of Standards African Bureau considered A-E mark are (SABS) acceptable” “environmentally in terms approved and are ofAfrican National the South (SANS). Standards SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Explore alternatives you could you could alternatives Explore shopping get when you go options See “Alternative again. household hazardous to reduce for ideas. waste” (page 97-100) ALTERNATIVE baking soda and white vinegar e.g. Avoid chemical insecticides by chemical insecticides by Avoid investing in a good fly swatter. as the cans sprays, aerosol Avoid or disposed cannot be recycled of safely.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL e.g. drain cleaner drain e.g. Check Check SAFETY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS Go around your home making a list making a list your home Go around of any of hazardous the mentioned and in the garage Start materials. where as this is generally kitchen, kept. chemicals are cleaning QUICK AUDIT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE HAZARDOUS OF AUDIT QUICK Check Buy products with listed ingredients. Knowing what a hazardous product IN CASE OF contains will help medical staff treat EMERGENCY any case of poisoning. Check If a hazardous product is ingested, Check Read the label for ingredients and take the person straight to your instructions for use, safe storage nearest poison unit, clinic or and disposal. hospital.

Check Ensure that the product is clearly Check If poisonous chemicals are inhaled, marked, and keep it in the original quickly take the person into fresh container. air. Do not expose yourself to the fumes. Open all doors and windows. Check Never mix hazardous products, as this could lead to a Check If a chemical gets into your eyes chemical reaction. or onto your skin, rinse for 15–20 minutes with clean, fresh water. Check Always use hazardous products in a well-ventilated area and with Check If someone has ingested paraffin, it extreme care. is important not to try and make the person vomit, as the fumes could Check Never smoke or eat while using enter the lungs and cause damage. chemicals, and always wash your hands after use. See “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for the number of the Western Cape Poisons Check Keep the container tightly closed. Information Helpline. Alternatively, If a container is leaking, put the in a life-threatening situation, call original container in a spill-proof, the City’s emergency line on 107 durable secondary container and (or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone). label it “Leaking”. Check Store in a cool, dry and dark place, IN CASE OF A away from stoves or water heaters. HAZARDOUS Check Keep hazardous products away from children and pets. WASTE SPILL

Most of the large waste disposal companies have 24-hour spill response teams for hazardous waste, including clean-ups, spillage containment and on-site remediation. Turn to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for their details.

92 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 93 . CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” CONTACTS To find out where you can you can find out where To see download the guide, “ SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Moreover, some of the world’s leading leading some of the world’s Moreover, have joined companies electronics the Guide to Greener to produce forces guide describes what The . Electronics doing to address these companies are an impact through their environmental resource assessment of use, their energy chemical elimination. consumption and In terms of lamps compact fluorescent the City and the lighting industry (CFLs), the saving of promote to responsible are used CFLs and that electricity and ensure lamps (fluorescent all other discharge possible. wherever recycled tubes) are contain small tubes CFLs and fluorescent quantities of substances that, hazardous if sites in large they end up on landfill impact. could have a negative quantities, no longer permitted they are Therefore, recycled, but must be on landfill sites, ofwhich is the responsibility both the and consumers ofproducers the lamps. COMPACT FLUORESCENT FLUORESCENT COMPACT LAMPS AND TUBES FLUORESCENT Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the is the or e-waste, waste, Electronic electrical term for discarded umbrella including devices, or electronic computers and “white cellphones, and irons appliances” (refrigerators, Many e-waste components stoves). made ofare hazardous potentially and should not be put materials waste bins or sent to into general and products Electronic landfill. appliances can be dismantled for which can then be valuable parts, or recycled in other machines reused for their metal or other contents. is a growing E-waste recycling already Africa, industry in South involving the electrical and electronic well as various recycling as industry, was Town Cape In fact, role-players. African city to pilot the the first South of and recycling e-waste, reuse repair, in the field. a leader and remains industry associations non-profit Two the focus on expanding currently ofAfrica. recycling e-waste in South Association the E-waste are These and the ofAfrica (eWASA) South South African E-waste Alliance their details under Find (SAEWA). AND RESOURCES”. “CONTACTS ELECTRONIC WASTE WASTE ELECTRONIC RECYCLING RECYCLING OR SAFE OF MANAGEMENT TYPES SPECIFIC OF HAZARDOUS WASTE CFLs and fluorescent tubes are recycled by Check If a CFL or fluorescent tube breaks, separating all the components, and then immediately open the vehicle recycling the mercury, metal parts and windows for the air to circulate. glass separately. Currently, South Africa has Place the broken lamp or tube in only two licensed facilities for the recycling a plastic bag and drop it off at the of these lamps, both of which are located nearest participating drop-off centre outside Cape Town. Lamps are, however, or collection point. taken there by long-haul transport. Consult “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for the MOTOR OIL details of accredited CFL and fluorescent tube recycling collectors associated A single litre of motor oil dumped with these two recycling companies. in water can form an oil slick bigger than two soccer fields. This is why it The mercury vapour content and broken is essential to recycle used motor oil glass of used CFLs present a health wherever possible. Also, never pour and safety risk. So, instead of throwing antifreeze, oil or other chemicals onto CFLs and fluorescent tubes into the the ground, into stormwater sewers or regular waste bin, keep them separate down the drain, as these substances can and stored safely until you are able to cause serious environmental damage. deposit them at a drop-off for recycling. The ROSE Foundation (Recycling Keep the following in mind when of Oil Saves the Environment) is an dropping off CFLs for recycling: NPO that collects, stores and recycles lubricating or motor oil. Find out Check Deliver CFLs intact to participating whether your garage works with the collection points (such as those ROSE Foundation. Alternatively, drop off run by Woolworths, Pick n Pay and your used motor oil at one of the City’s Builders Warehouse) and deposit drop-off facilities that accepts it. For the them into the dedicated container ROSE Foundation’s details, look under provided. “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”. Check Alternatively, drop off at the City’s Athlone refuse transfer station BATTERIES or Bellville integrated waste management facility free of charge. Batteries are an integral part of everyday life – from your car and cellphone to Check Transport CFLs and fluorescent your camping torch and wristwatch. All tubes carefully to prevent breakage batteries contain a mixture of heavy metals and minimise the risk to handlers. (such as zinc, lead, nickel, manganese, cadmium, silver and mercury) and chemicals (such as sulphuric acid) to power the device they are connected to.

94 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 95 to

CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” CONTACTS The City has issued a guide on on City has issued a guide The to Turn the disposal of asbestos. “ access it. you could find out where SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART The City disposes of City disposes The asbestos- co- waste in a trenched, containing on its permitted operation disposal waste landfill low-risk hazardous with in accordance Vissershok, at can Residents applicable legislation. off up to 50 kg of drop asbestos per transfer Athlone refuse the City’s day at waste integrated or Bellville station of free management facility charge. handlers are asbestos Commercial their asbestos to to take required the where landfill, Vissershok the waste tariff will be charged. hazardous PESTICIDES substances generally are “Pesticides” can that with an active ingredient any or destroy control prevent, including unwanted plants pests, active The or animals and diseases. determines the chemical ingredient such as herbicides, type of pesticide, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, defoliants regulators, plant growth treatments. and even wood product designed to be toxic are Pesticides (poisonous) and can harm or kill The fish and humans. birds, pets, depends on the active toxicity When used in larger-than- ingredient. the excess doses, recommended pesticide can pollute the environment. The City has issued a City has issued a The guide on the disposal of out how to Find batteries. access it under “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”. ASBESTOS of to a group minerals refers “Asbestos” good strength, with extraordinary and thermal and electrical insulation, Yet to chemicals. fairly good resistance in air containing asbestos breathing period ofdust over an extended Anyone time can cause disease. has who disturbs asbestos that or been damaged may deteriorated risk ofbe at fibres. inhaling asbestos Although the use and sale of asbestos asbestos may is now banned, products still be found in used or waste products tape, (rope, and gaskets such as seals (clutch friction products etc.), flanges, thermal linings), and brake plates most and, and acoustic insulation, (roof products cement commonly, and pot downpipes gutters, sheets, products These plant containers). people may occasionally expose working with them to asbestos dust. Proper disposal of used batteries is disposal of is used batteries Proper the metals and chemicals as important, to can be hazardous they contain disposing When the environment. consider whether they of batteries, the dealer through can be recycled them take Alternatively, or retailer. handles that to a municipal drop-off waste. household hazardous Without appropriate safety precautions, HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS exposure to pesticides can be harmful Every household uses chemical products to humans. Products should always to clean and disinfect in and around the be handled with extreme care and home. While these products make our lives should never be stored near food easier, they do contain at least one active or within reach of children. chemical ingredient. This means they must Symptoms of pesticide exposure include: be handled with caution. If not managed correctly, household cleaning aids can Check headaches; harm humans and the environment.

Check tremors; Cleaning chemicals can be broadly divided into water-soluble and non-water-soluble Check dizziness; ones. Water-soluble cleaners are risky Check nausea and vomiting; due to the presence of corrosive and highly reactive chemicals, such as caustic Check breathing difficulties; soda flakes. Examples are drain cleaner, hydrochloric pool acid, oxidising agents Check skin rashes; and such as swimming pool hypochlorite, Check eye irritations. chlorine bleach and ammonia solutions. Apart from being highly corrosive, these Chronic or delayed health effects can also cause respiratory problems. can include permanent eye damage, Non-water-soluble household cleaning cancer, a compromised immune chemicals include furniture oils and system and neurological diseases. polishes, abrasive metal-cleaning solutions and solvent-based spot removers. Domestic pesticide waste normally consists of expired pesticide products, unwanted Most household chemicals are safe to use stock, empty containers and contaminated and environmentally friendly, provided materials. Unused pesticides should never that the directions on the packaging are be disposed of in the general waste or followed. However, when they are used poured down the drain. Instead, drop excessively or incorrectly, or disposed of them off at the City’s Athlone refuse into the sewer, this could have cumulative transfer station or Bellville integrated harmful effects. For this reason, all cleaning waste management facility free of charge. chemicals should have labels indicating the composition of the substance, To assist residents, the City has directions for use, the risks to human published a guide on the disposal health, as well as a suggested method of pesticides. See “CONTACTS for disposing of the empty container. AND RESOURCES” for details.

96 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 97 Borax (sodium borate), a a (sodium borate), Borax water-soluble occurring, naturally removes deodorises, mineral, mildew and discourages stains, and boosts the cleaning mould, power of soap or detergent. Baking soda (sodium Baking soda (sodium of bicarbonate bicarbonate, acids and soda) neutralises shiny surfaces without cleans and It cleans scratching. chrome, polishes aluminium, stainless steel silver, jewellery, fabric, It also softens and tin. stains and softens removes it In addition, water. hard smelly deodorises refrigerators, upholstery and even carpets, It can also extinguish drains. cooking oil fires. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check NATURAL CLEANING CLEANING NATURAL AND RECIPES PRODUCTS, HOME AT TRY TO shops now and health Supermarkets friendly stock many environmentally products. cleaning (less hazardous) ones Some locally manufactured Bloublommetjies, Earth, Better are Enchantrix, Earthsap, Probiotic Earth Orange, Triple Greenman, Simple. and Pure ProBac you could mix your own, Alternatively, home. at products cleaning natural the house can around Most cleaning of be done with a mixture vinegar and or liquid soap and baking soda. water, essential some safe are Here aids to include in your next cleaning shopping list: Check For your convenience, the the your convenience, For on City has issued a guide the disposal of household chemicals. “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” contains it. to access details on where Wherever possible, avoid using toxic avoid using toxic possible, Wherever chemicals or materials. or hazardous Have instead. alternatives Use natural the following suggestions. a look at ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS REDUCE TO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Unused household chemicals chemicals Unused household of be disposed should never in down or poured waste the general them off at drop Rather the drain. transfer Athlone refuse the City’s waste integrated or Bellville station of free management facility charge. Check Lemon juice deodorises, Check Disinfectant: Half a cup (125 ml) of cleans glass, removes stains borax in a solution of 4,5 litres of hot from aluminium and is effective water makes an effective detergent. as a mild bleach for wool. Also try hydrogen peroxide (3% solution). Check Salt is a good abrasive for cleaning or scouring certain metals and Check Degreaser: Use vinegar or lemon plastics, but can scratch some to cut through grease. Make a surfaces. degreasing solution by mixing ½ teaspoon (2,5 ml) of washing soda Check Vinegar neutralises bases such (sodium carbonate or soda ash), two as alkaline soaps by lowering the tablespoons (30 ml) of white vinegar, pH level (raising acidity). It cuts ¼ teaspoon (1 ml) of liquid soap and through grease on surfaces and is two cups (500 ml) of water. an excellent deodoriser. Avoid using vinegar on marble, though, as it may Check Dishwasher detergent: Mix equal pit the surface. White vinegar is safe amounts of borax and baking soda for use on all colour-fast fabrics, (15 ml of each) and use in your other than cotton and linen. dishwasher. However, to be on the safe side, contact the manufacturer Check Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is of your machine regarding the a mineral that cuts through stubborn possible effects of using these grease and fat on grills, pans and products. ovens. Together with baking soda, it can serve as laundry detergent Check Drain cleaner: Regular drain and is available from pharmacies cleaning and pouring boiling water and chemical supply stores. down the drain once a week will prevent grime build-up and blocked Try the following recipes for natural drains. Use the following procedure household cleaning materials: to clean your drain effectively:

Check Wipe with Bath and shower cleaner: - Pour ½ cup (125 ml) of baking vinegar, and then rub with baking soda down your drain, followed by soda using a damp sponge. ½ cup (125 ml) of white vinegar.

Check Use distilled white Descaling agent: - Cover and leave for two hours, vinegar to remove limescale from and then rinse with boiling water. kettles and toilets. Lemon juice is a fragrant alternative to treat - If the drain needs to be unblocked, teapot stains. use hydrogen peroxide (available from a chemist) and a plunger. Do not use this with a commercial drain cleaner.

98 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 99 Try lemon juice and and lemon juice Try Use undiluted steel: Use undiluted Stainless white vinegar to clean. Line a pot or pan Silver: Line a pot or pan with aluminium foil and with a boil items in water ofteaspoon baking soda ofand a teaspoon salt. Boil items in a mixture Boil items in a mixture Copper: of tablespoon/15 ml), salt (one ml) white vinegar (one cup/250 and hot water. Use baby oil and Use baby oil and Chrome: foil with or aluminium vinegar, outwards. the shiny side facing Brass: Brass: a or paste, baking soda solution. vinegar-and-salt     Make a thick paste a thick paste Make Oven cleaner: and baking soda to with water on for Leave oven. a dirty clean and then scrub minutes, three If with a nylon scrubbing pad. add a small greasy, particularly amount of liquid soap to the A water-and-borax mixture. ofsolution (two teaspoons borax of onto sprayed in 1 litre water) well. the oven surface also works use very fine spots, remove To Sprinkle salt onto steel wool. spills while the oven is still warm. to them easier will make That once cool. remove Scrub mildew Scrub mildew Mildew remover: spots with ½ cup (125 ml) of of and 4 litres water, borax using a nylon scouring pad. forming mildew from prevent To do not rinse off the borax. again, scrubbing paste of A vinegar and salt will also work. -  - - - - SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check

Use a paste made Aluminium: Use a paste made of and water. cream tartar from Use one Brick and stone tiles: Use one cup (250 ml) of white vinegar ofdiluted in 4,5 litres water. Use one teaspoon (5 ml) (5 ml) Use one teaspoon of washing soda diluted ofin 4 litres water. hot Wooden floors: Apply a Wooden of thin coat equal amounts of vegetable oil and white in well. Rub vinegar. (5 ml) of baby oil and water.   floors: wooden Painted

Rinse with clean water water Rinse with clean all procedures. after Highly fragrant Insect repellents: all excellent herbs or spices are lavender, citrus oil, Try repellents. peppercorns, rosemary, chilli pepper, red powdered cloves bay leaves, peppermint, or cedar oil. and polishers: Metal cleaners - - Mix equal Mix equal stain remover: Fabric of parts liquid glycerine and eight with detergent dishwashing ofparts and apply to the water Leave stain as soon as possible. longer for for 20 minutes (or stains) and wash stubborn more garments. as normal with other in a squeezy container. Store and polish: Floor cleaner

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- - Check Check - or linoleum: Use a capful Vinyl Check Toilet cleaning products: Use bleach NATURAL PEST CONTROL (not chlorine-based) alone, or FOR GARDENS AND baking soda and vinegar. You can VEGETABLES also pour ¼ cup (62 ml) of borax into the toilet bowl, leave for a few Instead of using insecticides and pesticides hours or overnight, and then scrub in your garden, grow indigenous plants, and flush. Lemon juice can also be pull weeds out manually, and spray a added for fragrance. soap-and-water mixture onto plants to deter insects. This will reduce your need Check Use Window and glass cleaner: for products that contain hazardous warm water with lemon juice active ingredients, which are both (two tablespoons/30 ml) or vinegar harmful to the environment and unsafe. (¼ cup/62 ml). Mix and store in a spray bottle. Another good technique to keep garden pests at bay is to “interplant” your NATURAL PEST CONTROL vegetable seeds, such as planting a row of onions in between carrots. The mixed scent AROUND THE HOME confuses potential pests and prevents them from eating your growing vegetables. Check Ants: Sprinkle powdered red chilli pepper, paprika, dried peppermint Other good deterrents that can be planted or borax where ants are entering in between vegetables include strong- your home. smelling herbs or plants, such as marigolds and spring onions. Chives and garlic keep Check Cockroaches: Make a paste of borax, aphids away from roses, while rosemary, flour and sugar (equal parts) with a nasturtiums, peppermint, sage and basil teaspoon of antiseptic. Spread on are all used to deter flying insects and ants. floor of infested area. Repeat after four days, and again after two weeks. ALTERNATIVE PAINTS, Check Fish moths: Repel silverfish by FINISHES, GLUES putting a mixture of borax, sugar and vinegar on baseboards and in AND VARNISHES cupboards. If you use paints or wood preservatives, select products with low toxicity levels, Check Moths: Air clothes well in the sun such as EnviroTouch and Breathcote. and store in airtight containers (such Turn to as a plastic bag) with sachets of “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for web addresses where you can lavender or cedar chips. find additional information. If you have no choice but to contact a pest control business, look for a company that is environmentally friendly. Such businesses will target your specific pest problem and will not use generally hazardous products.

100 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 101

3 “Organic” “Enzyme-active” “Reusable” or “recyclable” “Reusable” “Ozone-friendly” “Biodegradable” “Free of ammonia, phosphates phosphates of ammonia, “Free and dyes” “Non-petroleum-based” “Non-toxic” SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check page provides table on the next The a list of the used around cleaners and their main ingredients house, and effects, possible side toxins, to consider. some alternatives Check Check Check Check Check Check LESS-TOXIC CLEANING CLEANING LESS-TOXIC PRODUCTS on the following words for Look to be sure the container or label products your household that friendly: environmentally are Check Courtesy of Institute for Zero Waste in Africa. Africa. in Waste ofZero for Institute Courtesy

3 For wood finishes, look out for products for products look out wood finishes, For (low to moderate boron containing treatment wood Boron toxicity). specifications. conforms to SANS also are products boron However, timber Therefore, leaching. to prone should products painted with these or ground not be buried in the When used in water. submerged to apply it is important externally, oil or wax treatments. further or low- Good-quality water-based varnishes glues, solvent paints, reasonable offer and preservatives carpets to wooden Nail alternatives. offloors instead using glue. USE INGREDIENTS TOXINS SIDE EFFECTS ALTERNATIVES

All-purpose Detergents Ethylenediamine Headache Hot water cleaners Fragrances Tetra acid Skin rash Washing soda Bleach Butyl CELLOSOLVE® Lung damage Soda ash Solvents Neurotoxin Kidney damage Borax Pine oil Phenol Nausea Soap flakes Disinfectants Carbolic acid Birth defects Essential oils Colouring agents Ammonia Nervous system Baking soda and dyes Chloramine gas damage Salt Ethylene Internal tissues Glycol monobutyl and respiratory acetate system damage

Air fresheners Petroleum Ethanol Eye/skin irritation Open windows Pesticide Cresol Respiratory tract House plants such Insecticide Propane damage as ivy, spider, Fungicide Butane Liver damage peace lilies and Solvents Isobutane Nausea philodendrons Perfumes Naphthalene Drowsiness and Water Propellants Carbon weakness White vinegar Alcohol Formaldehyde Headache Baking soda Hydrochloro- Loss of appetite Potpourri fluoro­carbon Vomiting Sodium Mental distur- bisulphate bance Propylene glycol Lethargy/fainting Mucous membrane damage

Dishwashing Perfumes Ammonia Endocrine Water detergents Salts Morpholine disruption Borax Alcohol Diethanolamine Reproductive Vegetable-based Detergents Alkylphenols system damage dishwashing Colouring agents Formaldehyde Cancer detergents Preservatives Nonylphenoxy Menstrual cycle Salt Surfactants ethoxylate disturbance Glycerine soap Thyroid damage Soap flakes Skin burns/rashes Baking soda Pancreas damage Washing soda Oestrogen disturbance

Glass and Solvents Butyl Liver damage Water window CELLOSOLVE® Kidney damage Lint-free cloth cleaners Ethyl Birth defects Plain soda water Ethanol Nervous Vinegar Glycol system disorders Lemon juice Alcohol Isopropyl Propylene

Floor Detergents Dioxane Nausea Hot water cleaners Solvents Chloramine Vomiting Vinegar and soap Bleach Ammonia Skin reactions Soap flakes Fragrance Arsenic Birth defects Borax Dye and colouring Phosphate Eye, nose and Cornflour agents Naphtha throat damage Washing soda Lead Liver damage Baby oil Kidney and Vegetable oil nervous disorders Cancer

102 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

103 ALTERNATIVES Bowl brush diluted Plain, vegetable-based detergents liquid Washing Baking soda Water White vinegar Borax juice Lemon Steam cleaning Steam sweeper Carpet Borax water Warm brush Stiff-bristle Cushion covers Running boiling boiling Running regularly water Baking soda strainer Drain salt Table Hydrogen peroxide Vinegar Baking soda water Warm steel wool Fine White vinegar Borax Salt SIDE EFFECTS Skin irritation Nervous system damage Depression system Circulatory problems Skin rashes Swelling Pimples Ulcerations Sinus problems Birth defects Birth Nausea Miscarriages Skin irritation teary itchy, Red, eyes Kidney damage Liver damage Headaches Respiratory disorders Internal tissue damage reactions Allergic Cancer Skin burns nose and Eye, damage throat Skin burns nose and Eye, damage throat

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

TOXINS Ammonia Ammonia compounds Sulphuric acids Phenol Naphthalene oil Pine Quaternary ammonia and lye sodium bisulphate Para-dichloro- benzene Formaldehyde Dioxane Sodium hydroxide Sulphuric acid Sodium Sodium hydroxide INGREDIENTS Bleach acids Muriatic Detergents Solvents Fragrances Optical brighteners Diethylene glycol Caustic soda Caustic Propellants Aerosols Propellants USE Bathroom cleaners Bathroom Carpet and upholstery upholstery and Carpet cleaners Drain cleaners Drain Oven cleaners CONTACTS AND RESOURCES

CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE AT

Bea Johnson’s Zero Waste Home Renowned blogger, author and www.zerowastehome.com philosophy proponent of the zero-waste philosophy

Breathcote Paint and wood preservative with low ecodesign@mweb.co.za toxicity levels

City guide on disposal of asbestos Specially issued guide to assist www.capetown.gov.za >> Work Capetonians in safely disposing of and business >> Commercial utility asbestos-containing waste services >> Commercial solid waste services

City guide on disposal of batteries Specially issued guide to assist www.capetown.gov.za >> Work Capetonians in safely disposing of and business >> Commercial utility used batteries services >> Commercial solid waste services

City guide on disposal of household Specially issued guide to assist www.capetown.gov.za >> Work chemicals Capetonians in safely disposing of and business >> Commercial utility their unused household chemicals services >> Commercial solid waste services

City guide on disposal of pesticides Specially issued guide to assist www.capetown.gov.za >> Work Capetonians in safely disposing of and business >> Commercial utility pesticides services >> Commercial solid waste services

Collect-a-Can Industry association for the recycling www.collectacan.co.za of cans Melanie Adams 031 700 5953 [email protected]

EnviroTouch Paint and wood preservative with low www.envirotouch.com toxicity levels

E-waste Association of South Africa Non-profit industry association for www.e-waste.org (eWASA) the recycling of electronic waste in South Africa

Guide to Greener Electronics Guide issued jointly by world’s www.greenpeace.org/archive- leading electronics companies, international/en/campaigns/detox/ setting out how they are addressing electronics/Guide-to-Greener- their environmental impact Electronics/

Hazardous waste management City information on how to manage www.capetown.gov.za >> Work hazardous waste and business >> Commercial utility services >> Commercial solid waste services >> Hazardous waste management

Home composting Tips on how to set up a compost heap www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20 at home and%20home/greener-living/ green-gardening-and-eating/start- composting-at-home

104 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

105

www.polyco.co.za Lisl Liedemann 021 531 0674 078 199 6469 [email protected] www.plasticsinfo.co.za www.plasticsinfo.co.za (Johannesburg) Douw Steyn 011 653 4794 083 301 8157 [email protected] Town) John Kieser (Cape 021 591 5512 073 775 8561 [email protected] www.petco.co.za Osborne Janine 021 794 6300 079 505 4059 [email protected] www.recyclepaper.co.za Ursula Henneberry 011 803 5063 082 329 7528 [email protected] www.orasa.org.za www.orasa.org.za www.oasis.org.za www.oasis.org.za 021 671 2698 (Claremont) 021 933 1586 (Elsies River) [email protected] 0860 103 089 www.capetown.gov.za/ solidwaste www.mra.co.za www.mra.co.za AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE www.capetown.gov.za/iwex www.capetown.gov.za/iwex SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART NPO focusing on reducing the the NPO focusing on reducing amount of polyolefin waste going to sustainable collection, landfill through and beneficiation recovery recycling, Promotes and supports the plastics the plastics and supports Promotes including plastics recycling industry, Company that fulfils the extended extended fulfils the that Company (EPR) role responsibility producer for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic industry by taking for post-consumer PET responsibility recycling bottle Industry association with a paper with a paper Industry association RecyclePaperZA arm, recycling known as the Paper (previously which aims Association), Recycling the amount ofto reduce recoverable goes to landfill by paper that the paper increasing progressively rate recovery Organisation that captures the value the value captures that Organisation of waste in the economy organic fly farming and composting, through digestion anaerobic NGO for improving the lives of NGO for improving running a persons with disabilities, an to generate programme recycling income City guidance on where to safely to safely City guidance on where dispose of glass non-recyclable Industry body for scrap metal metal Industry body for scrap recyclers DESCRIPTION Free online system where waste waste online system where Free can exchange and users generators waste materials Polyolefin Responsibility Responsibility Polyolefin (Polyco) Organisation Plastics SA PET Recycling Company of Company Recycling PET South Africa (PETCO) Paper Manufacturers Association of Association Manufacturers Paper South Africa (PAMSA) Organics Recycling Association of Association Recycling Organics South Africa (ORASA) Oasis Association recyclable glass disposal Non-recyclable Metal Recycler Association of Association Metal Recycler South Africa Integrated Waste Exchange (IWEX) Exchange Waste Integrated CONTACT/RESOURCE CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE AT

Polystyrene Association of Organisation that facilitates between www.polystyrenesa.co.za South Africa the recyclers and suppliers of 072 820 2506 recycled polystyrene and the buyers [email protected] representing the various end markets. Previously known as the Polystyrene Packaging Council

ROSE Foundation (Recycling Oil NPO that collects, stores and recycles www.rosefoundation.org.za Saves the Environment) lubricating and motor oil Bubele Nyiba 021 448 7492 [email protected]

South African E-waste Alliance Non-profit industry association for www.sa.ewastealliance.co.za (SAEWA) the recycling of electronic waste in Susanne Karcher South Africa 021 523 0940 071 859 0829 [email protected]

South African Plastics Recycling Body representing plastics www.plasticrecyclingsa.co.za Organisation (SAPRO) re-processors in South Africa, with Lisa Parkes its members procuring sorted, baled 083 406 3298 end-of-life plastics and re-processing [email protected] them into raw material

South African Vinyls Association Representative body for the local vinyl www.savinyls.co.za (SAVA) industry, fulfilling an active role in the 087 087 0418 sustainability of the industry [email protected]

Story of Stuff Short documentary on how buying www.storyofstuff.org durable and reusable products instead of disposable ones can reduce the waste we create

The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) Glass manufacturers industry body www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za Charlwyn Sawyer 021 950 5287 063 966 7341 [email protected]

Waste Recyclers app App on City website with details on http://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/ your nearest school or private drop- wasterec/map off facility or buy-back centre, a list of waste collectors, areas included in the City’s Think Twice separation-at- source recycling pilot, etc.

Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Free facilitation service connecting www.greencape.co.za/conteent/ Programme (WISP) member companies with the unused sector/wisp or residual resources of other businesses

Western Cape Poisons Information Joint line operated by Tygerberg 0861 555 777 (24-hour) Helpline Hospital and Red Cross Children’s Hospital, providing expert guidance in the event of poisoning

106 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE — Margaret Mead — Margaret “NEVER DOUBT THAT “NEVER THAT DOUBT GROUP SMALL A OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE THE IS IT WORLD; THAT THING ONLY EVER HAS.” ENVIRONMENT

Cape Town’s natural environment is significant ecosystem benefits and unique and diverse. Its scenic beauty services. This chapter explains why and not only serves as a pleasant backdrop how we can all play a part in protecting for those fortunate enough to live and our precious environment from the effects work here, but also attracts millions of of urbanisation, pollution, natural hazards visitors every year. More importantly, and climate change. though, our natural environment offers

108 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 109 being available for future being available for future enjoyment and use. absorbing some of our and wastewater; protecting the city from the city from protecting our (particularly storm surges coastline); serving as recreational, serving as recreational, and spiritual cultural educational, spaces; food, medicine and raw medicine and raw food, materials; sustainable livelihoods; tourism and green jobs; tourism and green climate change mitigation and and change mitigation climate adaptation; serving as atmospheric serving as atmospheric carbon sinks; replenishment of groundwater; ofreplenishment groundwater; filtering of runoff and air water pollution; flood control or prevention; or prevention; flood control SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check The benefits that result from effectively effectively result from that benefits The -natural and semi conserved natural goods “ecosystem also called are areas which include: and services”, Check Biodiversity provides the foundation foundation the Biodiversity provides planet and healthy for a healthy more Diverse ecosystems are people. more they are which means resilient, as (such stress from to recover likely or human-induced habitat drought) and disturbance (such as overgrazing Intact or well-maintained overfishing). many also offer habitats natural recreational, such as benefits to people, and tourism opportunities, educational, property and can enhance surrounding nature-based Town, In Cape values. most tourism is one of the city’s job creators. important THE VALUE OF THE VALUE BIODIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY to all the living “Biodiversity” refers complex and the us, around organisms When web within which they interact. every or disappears, weakens one part ofother part the web is affected. genetic Biodiversity includes species, and ecosystem diversity in our oceans, coastlines, wetlands, rivers, It plains and dunes. hills, mountains, encompasses everything in nature. INTRODUCTION TO TO INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT WHY OUR Check it supports the tourism industry, which puts bread on BIODIVERSITY the table for many – visitors MUST BE flock to Cape Town for our world-renowned beaches, PROTECTED great conditions for water sports (such as surfing, The conservation of biodiversity is kitesurfing and kayaking), and an inter-generational imperative. our spectacular marine and We have a responsibility to protect coastal animals (such as the our biodiversity because … African penguin, great white Check it cleans our water and air, shark, southern right whale lessens flooding, and holds and Cape fur seal); our soil in place; Check it offers a place where our Check it provides the complex children can experience and genetic pool that gives us learn about nature, where we food and medicines, and can relax and enjoy beauty supports many people’s and tranquillity, and a place of livelihoods, such as harvesters spirituality; and of flowers (such as proteas Check it includes 190 plant or ericas), medicinal plants species that are endemic (such as buchu or aloe), and to Cape Town, occurring housing materials (such as nowhere else on Earth. thatching reed);

THREATS TO HABITAT LOSS DUE BIODIVERSITY TO URBANISATION Globally, the main cause of species In Cape Town, we enjoy easy access to extinction is the direct loss of habitat, the environment, with the beach and the which, in turn, is mostly caused by mountains within easy reach. However, our urbanisation and development. As more natural environment faces various threats, and more people move from rural areas and it is up to us to reduce these and to the city, the natural environment comes protect our biodiversity. under increasing pressure.

110 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 111 relieve the pressure on our water on our water the pressure relieve indigenous by planting resources which use less water species, than invasive alien plants. protect plants, as they absorb as they absorb plants, protect the from harmful carbon dioxide air; and protect and rehabilitate our our and rehabilitate protect as the first line of coastal dunes, defence against coastal erosion, waves rise or large sea-level storms; caused by extreme ensure that our rivers, lakes lakes our rivers, that ensure the and wetlands can process in runoff that potential increase rainfall; heavier from would result SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Healthy, functioning ecosystems are are ecosystems functioning Healthy, as the first line globally recognised of change climate defence against urgently We and storm damage. (land- our terrestrial need to conserve and marine coastal freshwater, based), degraded and restore biodiversity, change. to climate ecosystems to adapt to: we need particularly, More Check INVASIVE SPECIES INVASIVE When invasive alien species are and spread they rapidly introduced, as there indigenous species, replace to pests and parasites no natural are them. control Cape Town and its emerging and its emerging Town Cape vulnerable particularly economy are Climatologists to a changing climate. will experience Town Cape that predict dry and warm climate, an increasingly in both the intensity with an increase of weather and frequency extreme shortages to water will lead This events. changes failure, agricultural (drought), to our unique and threatened coastal flooding and biodiversity, and and rainfall, wind extreme erosion, waves. intense heat longer and more CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE Rapid urbanisation causes causes urbanisation Rapid and loss offragmentation natural of (plants flora leaving habitats, and fauna (animals of a region) a invasive to vulnerable more region) and other pollution, alien species, the It also increases disturbances. change. with climate associated risks especially developments, Beachfront originally reclaimed was on land that limit nature’s further sea, the from ability to absorb the impact of stronger storm surges. cannot be avoided. Urbanisation city planning, with sound However, the same time, at and, cities can grow effect minimise the potential negative people, of on biodiversity, such growth and property. For instance, some invasive alien trees However, other local vegetation types are burn more readily and at a much higher not fire-prone or fire-dependent at all. temperature than indigenous plants. Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, for instance, While this destroys our local fynbos seeds, often has a high succulent component which are stored near the soil surface, the and does not require fire, although it can invasive alien seeds usually survive and withstand it occasionally. flourish following a fire.

Aquatic invasive species such as water OVEREXPLOITATION hyacinth, in turn, threaten biodiversity Most of the Cape Flats has unpalatable by removing oxygen from the water and vegetation situated on sandy, nutrient- forming thick mats of plant material. poor soils. Historically, the area would These stop light from entering the water, not have supported large herds of game which kills other, indigenous, water plants for long periods. Today, however, small- and forces fish and other animals to seek stock farmers on the Cape Flats herd refuge elsewhere. cattle and goats throughout the year, often in unsuitable habitats. This causes Examples of invasive alien animals include the vegetation to be trampled and the Mallard Duck, which breeds with overgrazed, which, in turn, allows invasive the indigenous Yellow-billed Duck, and alien grasses to grow. Once established, the House Crow, which preys on small these grasses maintain a shorter fire cycle, indigenous animals and birds’ eggs. which permanently changes the vegetation Interestingly also, the International Union structure and diminishes biodiversity value. for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists domestic cats among the world’s 100 worst non-native invasive species. In fact, POLLUTION AND LITTER both domestic and feral cats pose a threat Although Cape Town has extensive to small indigenous mammals, birds, seasonal wetlands, most of them are and reptiles. polluted. Waterway pollution occurs either The City’s Invasive Species Unit works with through direct illegal dumping of waste or the national Department of Water and through the misuse of the stormwater and Sanitation’s Working for Water Programme, sewer systems. Harsh chemicals and oils as well as Table Mountain National Park’s are to be disposed of at special City drop- Alien Vegetation Clearing Programme to off facilities, as explained in the chapter rid Cape Town of invasive alien animals on waste, and should never be allowed to and plants. enter the ecosystem. If you come across instances of littering or waste dumping INAPPROPRIATE FIRE in Cape Town’s waterways, please report this to the City. Go to “CONTACTS AND Fynbos needs summer fires for its long- RESOURCES” at the end of this chapter term conservation. If fires are too frequent, for details. though, slower-growing species may be eliminated.

112 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 113

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Cape Town has some of the world’s has some of the world’s Town Cape city’s The beaches. most beautiful 307 km of two coastline includes Africa – of bays in South the largest Our coastline Bay. and False Bay Table tidal 70 beaches, than more offers coastal sandy shores, and rocky pools, and islands. estuaries, cliffs, sea dunes, rich and varied coastal landscapes, The it the make and creatures plants, therefore, and, perfect coast to explore of. care one to take an important CRIME high crime levels current the Ironically, a major threat in the city also pose ofto the conservation our natural people generally as ecosystems, as areas bushy remnants perceive or as corridors harbour criminals that the city for criminals to traverse valuable the process, In undetected. cleared are is lost as areas vegetation and criminal-proofed. ofIllegal activities such as the dumping poaching and waste, rubble and toxic biodiversity affect arson also directly quality of life. and people’s COASTAL ­MENT MANAGE Another source of environmental ofsource Another environmental Apart fumes. is car exhaust pollution air quality, impact on the direct from in compounds the nitrogen-rich fumes also change soil exhaust making it less suitable composition, species. for indigenous fynbos alien) (usually invasive Competitive stronger, by growing species respond structure vegetation which changes the waste The regime. and even the fire chapters of and energy this handbook on how you contain useful information could help avoid air pollution. cigarette including throwing Littering, is strictly prohibited out of butts a car, Waste Integrated by the City’s can and offenders Management By-law, in any This applies to littering be fined. in municipal stormwater public place, in streams, on vacant land, drains, wetlands roads, streets, watercourses, or along the coastline. problem, Plastic pollution is a growing and marine especially for freshwater Plastic waste kills many marine life. which animals (especially seabirds), or become the plastic for food, mistake littered are that Beaches entangled in it. metal, with man-made debris (glass, wood and plastic) support rubber, and other burrowing fewer crabs most plastic pollution Sadly, animals. and in surrounding on city beaches within comes from coastal waters South Africa. OUR MARINE Our coastlines and offshore islands also provide breeding sites for seabirds and BIODIVERSITY seals. Endangered African Penguins are endemic to South Africa and Namibia, Cape Town has one of the most diverse and breed on Robben Island, while the marine ecosystems in the world. The warm Boulders Beach and Burgher’s Walk colony Agulhas current that sweeps down the east is one of only two mainland penguin coast and the cold Benguela upwelling breeding colonies. system along the West Coast create a rich and varied marine life, including many rare and endangered species. THREATS TO OUR The Cape’s rocky shores are particularly COASTAL AND species-rich because of their diversity of microhabitats (smaller habitats). In summer, MARINE LIFE the West Coast experiences an upwelling Our natural coastal ecosystems provide of nutrient-rich, cold water that supports a buffer between the sea and the city, so plankton growth. This, in turn, supports we need to ensure that these systems are various food webs, including shoals of protected. pelagic fish such as anchovies, pilchards, and snoek. Some of the key threats to our coastal and marine life are as follows: Cape Town’s coastline offers some of the world’s best whale-watching spots. Between June and November every year, COASTAL EROSION Southern Right Whales are common in the Development along Cape Town’s coast, area as they come here for mating and including the reclamation of land from breeding, and can be easily spotted from the sea, has rendered natural buffers less the shore. Southern Rights are so named effective against coastal dune dynamics because they were regarded as the “right and increasingly intense storm surges whales” to hunt in the past due to their in certain areas. This, in turn, has led to slow movements and inability to dive for coastal erosion, which has a negative long periods of time. impact on coastal ecosystems and it also detracts from the recreational value that Great White Sharks are found all along beaches provide to the general public. the South African coast, with the highest numbers between False Bay and Algoa A coastal management line (CML) is Bay, particularly near colonies of Cape Fur a spatial planning mechanism which Seals. In Cape Town, inshore Great White is used to promote risk averse and Shark presence is highest from October to sustainable coastal development. The CML March, when the water is warmer and their is becoming an increasingly important preferred food, such as gamefish and other planning mechanism in the context of sharks, is plentiful. Great White Sharks can escalating pressures associated with grow up to six metres long and weigh up climate change such as coastal erosion, to two tonnes. storm surges, as well as increased pressures associated with urban growth on the sensitive coastal environment.

114 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 115

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART URBAN URBAN FARMING its most food is usually at Fresh within two nutritious when eaten in our is rare This days of harvesting. environment, modern-day supermarket long to get to takes food fresh where is harvested too young the shelves, is to key The in cold storage. and kept food is where food chains, have short it is grown. consumed close to where people have home Increasingly, as this allows them to pick gardens, on the same day and choose and eat or pesticide is used. which fertiliser your own food is fun, growing Besides, and and empowering, educational contributes to food security. their own food who grow Those often typically do so organically, principles of incorporating and companion planting. permaculture COASTAL POLLUTION COASTAL food single-use particularly Plastics – containers – comprise and beverage than More 90% of all marine debris. ofeight million tonnes discarded every our oceans plastic ends up in it does not there, Once it is single year. go away. easily two from pollution comes Coastal such as land-based pollution, sources: a littered from plastic blown into the sea by a or washed into the sea beach and ocean-based system, stormwater garbage which comes from pollution, as well as disposed of by ships, sea at abandoned and lost fishing gear. CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE and rise, sea-level erosion, Coastal storms waves caused by extreme large of results climate all probable are coastal ecosystems, Natural change. our first line are coastal dunes, like need to protect, We of defence. them where and manage rehabilitate possible. OVEREXPLOITATION live close to the Many people who use the coast for recreation, sea as a food source. employment and if harvesting goes sea Unfortunately, cannot marine resources unchecked, and will no longer serve as a recover, of source income or food for coastal communities. poaching uncontrolled Overfishing, West and ofAbalone (Perlemoen) (Kreef), as well as Lobster Rock Coast result that fishing practices commercial entanglement, ship strikes, in bycatch, of and the stranding whales and all detrimental to the are dolphins, marine environment. The CML demarcates an area along the along the an area demarcates CML The the buffer aims to enhance coast which provide systems natural that potential the long-term sustainability to ensure benefit ofand socio-economic coastal development. ORGANIC Spatial companions, such as onion and Swiss chard (spinach). Onions grow just AGRICULTURE above the ground with straight leaves, while spinach has large, abundant leaves Organic farming methods combine above the ground. The smell of onions also scientific knowledge of ecology and helps repel pests. modern technology with traditional farming practices based on natural biological Time companions, such as radish, processes. While conventional agriculture cabbage and lettuce. Radish is harvested uses synthetic pesticides and water-soluble, first, followed by lettuce, after which the synthetically purified fertilisers, organic maturing cabbage fills all the gaps, with farmers use only natural pesticides and little unused space remaining in the bed. fertilisers. The principal methods of organic farming include crop rotation, green Friendly companions, such as basil and manures and compost, biological pest tomato. The basil keeps pests away and control, and mechanical cultivation. yields sweeter tomatoes.

The oldest and most advanced form of organic farming is biodynamic agriculture. DIFFERENT SEED This entails the use of special biodynamic preparations that enhance soil and plant VARIETIES vitality, as well as improve seed longevity. There are many seed varieties available. Some can be collected and reused, while hybrid seeds cannot propagate again. PERMACULTURE Heirloom seeds are organically grown and preserve the original genetic vitality of the Permaculture (“permanent agriculture” plant. Genetically modified seeds can be or “permanent culture”) is a land design manipulated to require specific pesticides, practice that harmoniously integrates be better adapted to environmental buildings, the microclimate, annual and conditions, or not reproduce. perennial plants, animals, soils, and water into stable, productive communities. When Remember the following tips when designing your garden at home, you can buying seeds: also incorporate permaculture principles by simply observing natural systems and Check Check if there is an expiry date, as tapping into indigenous knowledge. seed viability decreases with time.

Check If you plan on reusing seeds, get COMPANION natural seeds instead of hybrids.

PLANTING Check Support local seed companies, save your own seed or exchange seeds To double your production, try planting the with other people. following companion plants together, as they enhance one another’s health and vitality:

116 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 117 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART We can save Cape Town’s threatened threatened Town’s can save Cape We species only by saving the ecosystems city contains The them. support that six of types, vegetation 19 different therefore, endemic and, which are world. else in the found nowhere many of these Unfortunately, under serious are types vegetation If conserve the few we fail to threat. of areas these ecosystems, remaining their we will lose not only the species, and their potential intrinsic value, but also the goods uses, future these ecosystems and services that and on which we all depend deliver, for our survival. The Cape Floristic Region is the is the Region Floristic Cape The six smallest and richest of the world’s page 119), on map (see kingdoms floral and the only one contained in a single in the is situated Town Cape country. which ofheart this biodiversity hotspot, unique biodiversity forms that means fabric: Critically Town’s of part Cape found on plants are endangered in indigenous gardens, verges, road and in public open fields, on sports reserves. nature including spaces, 35 is one of the world’s Town Cape extremely are biodiversity hotspots that but have lost rich in unique biodiversity, 70% of least at their original habitat, risk of many species at putting global extinction. THE CAPE THE CAPE FLORISTIC REGION AND THE URGENT NEED FOR ­ ITS CONSER VATION ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT CITY IN OUR THE LOCAL THE COASTAL BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND PROGRAMME ACTION PLAN Cape Town’s coastline is a highly sensitive, dynamic and important part of our (LBSAP) natural heritage. It offers us economic, social and environmental benefits, and, The City has taken significant steps in therefore, requires dedicated and careful managing and conserving biodiversity management. and has developed multiple working relationships and partnerships to ensure Through its Coastal Management effective implementation. Programme (CMP), the City is committed to striking the right balance between The Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action promoting the socio-economic value of Plan (LBSAP), which was first approved in the coast, and ensuring the preservation 2009, is one of the City’s guiding strategies of functional coastal ecosystems. The CMP, in this regard. Various local governments which was adopted in 2015, is a detailed have adopted an LBSAP to achieve plan that sets out the City’s approach optimal governance and management of to managing all aspects of the coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services in their environment. Following on the 2014 areas. Cape Town’s LBSAP is co-ordinated Integrated Coastal Management Policy, the and led by the Environmental Management CMP seeks to improve and optimise the Department’s Biodiversity Management socio-economic and environmental value Branch, together with a number of other of the coastal zone by: line departments.

Check defining departmental roles and The purpose of the LBSAP is to ensure that responsibilities to manage our biodiversity in Cape Town is conserved coastline in an integrated way; and, where appropriate, restored. Its six strategic objectives provide an action plan Check promoting strategic and consistent for the protection of the city’s biodiversity decision-making along Cape Town’s and natural assets. coastline to achieve the City’s policy objectives and principles; and The LBSAP has also been incorporated into the City’s five-year Integrated Check determining appropriate Development Plan (IDP), which guides management interventions decision-making and communicates and protocols. the City’s vision to its stakeholders. The conservation of biodiversity falls under the IDP strategic goals of being a “well-run city”, an “inclusive city” and specifically also an “opportunity city”.

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Paleotropical Paleotropical Australian Neotropical (Holarctic) Boreal Antarctic (Capensic) African South 119 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART OUR NATURE OUR MARINE RESERVES PROTECTED As of 2019, the City manages 20 nature AREAS reserves and various nature areas. Some special marine and coastal Apart from the City-run nature reserves, ecosystems are designated as Marine Cape Town also has other protected areas Protected Areas. For example, no fishing or that are managed by state or private other harvesting is allowed in the restricted organisations. Table Mountain National areas of the Table Mountain National Park, for instance, is administered by Park Marine Protected Area. Likewise, in South African National Parks (SANParks), the Helderberg Marine Protected Area, while Driftsands Nature Reserve is no fishing is allowed between the Eerste managed by CapeNature (the provincial River mouth and the Lourens River mouth, conservation agency). CapeNature also extending 500 m seawards from the high- spearheads a conservation stewardship water mark. programme, where private landowners are encouraged to maintain important The map on the next page depicts other biodiversity found on their land. The City closed and protected coastal areas. has facilitated 18 conservation stewardship agreements with private landowners, with additional agreements being negotiated. The parastatal Eskom manages the Koeberg Private Nature Reserve.

Visitors and residents are encouraged to explore these reserves and enjoy the scenery and outdoor activities they offer. Walk through the aromatic vegetation and discover the variety of colourful flowers that attract birds, insects, and other small creatures. Spend time along the coast, look out for whales and dolphins, explore life in the rock pools, or enjoy a swim or surf.

For more information on opening hours, tariffs and facilities of the City’s nature reserves, refer to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” at the end of this chapter.

120 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE Additional coastal management initiatives that the City runs or supports are: OUR BEACHES Check the World Wide Fund for Nature AND THE South Africa (WWF-SA) Southern African Sustainable Seafood BLUE FLAG Initiative (WWF-SASSI), which promotes sustainable fishing and PROGRAMME eating (turn to page 138 and 139 for Blue Flag is an annual international more on WWF-SASSI); recognition programme that encourages sound management of coastlines and Check the Fishing Line Bin Project, coastal waters to support tourism growth providing receptacles where used, and development. Although participation discarded fishing lines can be safely is voluntary, this eco-label has become disposed of; an international symbol of excellence for Check the Burgher’s Walk African Penguin beaches, boats, and marinas. Blue Flag Conservation Project; status implies a certain standard of safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental Check Clean C, which organises beach and information, and environmental community clean-ups; management.

Check the South African Network for Blue Flag has been in operation since Coastal and Oceanic Research’s 1987. More than 40 countries across the (SANCOR) Marine and Coastal globe participate in the programme, and Educators Network; there are almost 4 300 Blue Flag beaches, boats, and marinas across the world. Check the Big Microplastic Survey; and

South Africa was the first country outside Check Working for the Coast projects. Europe to receive Blue Flag accreditation for some of its beaches, and the programme has been locally managed by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) in partnership with participating coastal municipalities since 2001. The strict programme criteria are set by the Foundation for Environmental Education, the international co-ordinators of the Blue Flag campaign in Europe.

122 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 123 pollution. boat traffic; and traffic; boat damage to coastal habitats, damage to coastal habitats, use for feeding, which sharks or socialising; breeding nets and other fish-farming nets and other fish-farming facilities; (aquaculture) trawler and purse seine fishing; and purse seine fishing; trawler poaching for shark jaws, teeth teeth poaching for shark jaws, and fins; commercial long-line fishing; commercial SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check is a pioneering shark Shark Spotters has been that safety programme for its innovative widely recognised to finding a solution to approach and potential conflict between sharks Adopted by the City in 2004 people. of to a spate shark attacks in response shark sightings along the and increased is now Shark Spotters coast, Town Cape the primary shark safety programme in town. Check Check Check Check Check THE SHARK SHARK THE SPOTTERS PROGRAMME pose to human sharks that threat The However, life needs no explanation. poses multiple human activity also to sharks. threats include: These Check

CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” CONTACTS For further details about the Blue Blue details about the further For and a booklet Flag programme turn to beaches, Town’s on Cape “ the end ofat this chapter. WILDLIFE WILDLIFE CONFLICT city dwellers live alongside Where and such as sharks urban wildlife, We need is inevitable. conflict baboons, Read peacefully. to find ways to co-exist the City is on what on for information doing to achieve this. URBAN- The Blue Flag programme offers many many offers Blue Flag programme The tourism such as improved benefits, enhanced management facilities, increased of ecosystems, coastal and capacity ofawareness the coast, building of coastal municipalities. beachgoers, our local It also guarantees and international as well as domestic experience, beach visitors a world-class and well-managed clean, with safe, every year must reapply Sites facilities. Flag for the Blue to be considered reviewed are and applications award, jury. and international by a national the Blue In the southern hemisphere, 1 November to runs from Flag season year. 31 October each The programme improves beach safety Check a white flag with a solid black shark, through both shark warnings and which means that a shark has been emergency assistance in the event of a spotted, accompanied by a siren, shark attack. It also contributes to research which warns all swimmers to leave on shark ecology and behaviour, raises the water immediately and keep out public awareness of shark-related issues, until the flag is changed; and and provides employment opportunities Check , which means that there are and skills development to Shark Spotters. no flag no spotters on duty. In 1991, South Africa became the first in Moreover, at Fish Hoek beach, a shark the world to declare Great White Sharks a exclusion net further ensures bathers’ protected species. When apex (top-level) safety. The Shark Spotters deploy the predators such as Great White Sharks are unique exclusion net in the mornings threatened, entire marine ecosystems and retrieve it in the evenings, thereby suffer. Therefore, by protecting our sharks, reducing the impact on marine biodiversity our ocean ecosystem remains balanced. in the vicinity. The City has partnered with Shark Spotters on a pioneering shark safety programme Look under “CONTACTS AND that provides an early warning system and RESOURCES” for a link to further research on these important creatures. The information about the Shark Spotters programme employs individual spotters, programme and where and when Shark who are placed at strategic lookout points Spotters are on duty. on the mountains along the coastline, from where they communicate shark sightings THE BABOON to the public using a flag-and-siren system. If a shark is spotted close to water users, MANAGEMENT spotters raise the alarm, and people are PROGRAMME evacuated temporarily while the shark is in the area. Cape Town is well known for its baboons. An icon of the Cape Peninsula, the The flag system (see illustration on the Chacma Baboon forms part of our rich next page) consists of: biodiversity and natural heritage. The few remaining baboon troops are restricted Check a green flag with an outlined to living in and around Table Mountain shark, which means that spotting National Park or in the Hottentots Holland conditions are good; mountain ranges. Check a black flag with an outlined Some of the wilder Chacma Baboon troops shark, which means that spotting keep their distance, but can become quite conditions are poor; aggressive if fed by humans in popular Check a red flag with a solid white shark, tourist areas, such as Cape Point. which means that there is a high shark alert;

124 CITY OF CAPE TOWN

WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 125 ? HIGH HIGH SOUND SHARK ALERT! SHARK IMMEDIATELY! LEAVE THE WATER THE WATER LEAVE A SHARK HAS BEEN HAS BEEN SHARK A SPOTTED, SIREN WILL SIREN WILL SPOTTED, SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

? ARE POOR

GOOD ?

SPOTTING SPOTTING SPOTTING SPOTTING CONDITIONS CONDITIONS CONDITIONS ARE CONDITIONS

#BESHARKSMART AND THE LEARN #BESHARKSMART SYSTEM. FLAG SPOTTERS SHARK ? TIPS FOR SHARK AND GENERAL SWIMMING SAFETY

Check Always swim where lifeguards - if there has been a whale are on duty. Swim within the stranded nearby; or designated area, between - at night. the red and yellow flags, and adhere to rip-tide warnings. Check Do not swim in deep water beyond the breakers. Check The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) provides easy- Check Do not swim if you to-spot, bright pink buoys are bleeding. on many beaches. Use these when someone gets into Check Do not swim near trouble in the water. river mouths.

Check If you plan to swim, choose a Check Obey beach officials, beach where Shark Spotters lifeguards and Shark Spotters are on duty. if you are told to leave the water. Check Take the time to speak to the Shark Spotters on the day you Check The rate of Great White visit the beach. Shark encounters increases significantly when the water Check Pay attention to any shark temperature is warmer signage on beaches. (18 ºC or higher) and during new moon due to increased Check Make sure you understand feeding opportunities. and obey the Shark Spotters and the flag warning system, Check If a shark has recently been and listen out for the sighted in an area where no warning siren. Shark Spotters are present, consider using another beach Check Do not swim, surf or surf-ski: for the day. - when birds, dolphins or Check If you are a first-time visitor seals are feeding nearby; to a beach, ask the local - where trek-netting, fishing law enforcement officers, or spear fishing is taking lifeguards or locals about place; the area.

126 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 127 Consider using a personal a personal using Consider you go shark shield when kayaking. surfing or SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Cape fynbos is low in protein and and fynbos is low in protein Cape for a lot of and it takes effort nutrients, baboons to sustain themselves on this it has become much Unfortunately, diet. nutritious for them to find more easier in to forage a dustbin than food from have When baboon troops the wild. their population access to human food, by density (numbers) may increase to natural up to five times compared troops. fynbos-foraging will keep following suggestions The you safe when encountering baboons and minimise conflict: Check BE WARY OF OF BE WARY BABOONS AGGRESSIVE young dispersing Old male baboons, are baboons or female baboons that can their young offspring protecting dispersing males Young be aggressive. to move between troops naturally and may end up interbreeding prevent food. as they look for urban areas near old male baboons no Bad-tempered can also be roles longer in leadership they see as a what towards aggressive such as a in these environments, threat human or barking dog. Consider paddling in in paddling Consider staying close and groups together (in a diamond if formation) you plan on or surf-skiing far kayaking out to sea.

Check We have to respect baboons and baboons and have to respect We merely they are understand that trying to adapt to changes in their also need to We environment. natural powerful as baboons are be careful, animals and can be unpredictable. baboons need to importantly, More in our part for their vital be protected for While foraging ecosystem. natural into air (aerate) they introduce food, seeds and bulbs, the soil and scatter and grow which can then germinate into new plants. especially baboons are peninsula’s The surrounded and completely vulnerable, Many of our by human habitation. or next near are areas residential And as the city to baboon habitats. on we encroach continues to expand, not only This the baboons’ territory. but to human-baboon conflict, leads the animals’ genetic can also threaten baboon The diversity due to isolation. is Peninsula on the Cape population formally the only baboon population Africa. in South protected DO NOT FEED BABOONS Check Watch out for red feather banners – officials display these as a warning People, especially tourists, tend to feed that baboons are close by. baboons at stopping points near nature reserves and parks. Feeding baboons is WHEN OUT PICNICKING punishable by law, as it: OR CAMPING Check further encourages baboons to seek Check Watch out for baboons when out human food and could lead to picnicking. Be cautious if you spot aggression in an effort to get more them nearby, and if they appear food from you; and aggressive, pack up and leave Check teaches them bad habits, which may the area. ultimately lead to their death. Check If a baboon steals your bag, never Report people feeding baboons to the chase it or try to grab the bag back. 24-hour National Environmental Crimes The baboon will search the bag, and Incidents Hotline (see “CONTACTS take the food it wants, and leave the AND RESOURCES” for details). rest. Wait for the baboon to move away before you collect your bag.

ON THE ROAD AND Check Place waste in a baboon-proof IN YOUR CAR waste bin. If one is not available or too full, take your waste home with Check If you see baboons or other animals you. Baboons raid dustbins and on the road, slow down. become used to human food.

Check Enjoy watching the baboons from Check When camping, store your food in the safety of your vehicle. Avoid any a lockable box and camping fridge. close contact with the baboons. Remember, baboons are intelligent, and some may be able to unzip or Check Lock all doors and keep windows unclip items. Food in your tent is and sunroofs closed, as baboons are not secure. highly intelligent and have learnt to open doors. Check Try not to walk dogs in known baboon-inhabited areas. Only allow Check Baboons may also enter a car your dog off its leash if it is properly through the windows to snatch trained and obeys basic obedience food, so food items should never be commands. visible. Pack bags and food items in the boot of the vehicle, or under Check If you walk your dog without a leash, the seats. and it chases or attacks a baboon, call the dog off before the fight Check Do not feed baboons. It is a escalates. punishable offence. Also, do not throw items out of vehicle windows.

128 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 129 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART This large toad occurs only in only in toad occurs large This the from the coastal region Agulhas Plain to the Flats Cape It and is endemic to the region. in public in open water breeds land. open spaces or on private could be providing garden Your for this species. valuable habitat and foraging are Gardens for the toads, sanctuary areas and vital for their continued survival. Many of and nocturnal are these animals for food, searching night at roads cross In most cases, or mates. new territories, so they roads, hesitant to cross they are unexpectedly. do so suddenly and often risk to both the a particular poses This By slowing down, animal and drivers. the safety, their own motorists can ensure as well as the safety of users, other road ofprotection our wildlife. (Sclerophrys (Sclerophrys is a charismatic is a charismatic pantherina) species in danger of extinction. The endangered Western Western endangered The Toad Leopard WESTERN LEOPARD LEOPARD WESTERN FLAGSHIP A – TOAD FOR URBAN CONSERVATION TOADS – FRIEND OR FOE? TOADS two specific toads are There Western to look out for – the and the Guttural Toad Leopard Toad. Motorists are urged to reduce their to reduce urged are Motorists vigilant when be more and speed driving especially near reserves, nature knocking down wildlife. avoid to night, at caracals, grysbok, Animals such as owls, mongoose, porcupines, baboons, otters, genets, tortoises, killed are and snakes every year. roads Town on Cape ROADKILL Apart from human activity, another One such example is the Guttural major threat to the Western Leopard Toad (Sclerophrys gutturalis). Toad is road traffic: Many toads This toad is indigenous to the die while moving to and from their northeastern parts of South Africa, breeding grounds in late winter, as has been introduced to Cape Town, well as when the baby toads emerge and is invading several suburbs in early summer. These toads are a in Cape Town. Being explosive protected species, and it is illegal to breeders, the Guttural Toad collect or relocate them. population is rapidly spreading. The City’s Biodiversity Management GUTTURAL TOAD – AN Branch, in conjunction with the South African National Biodiversity URBAN INVADER Institute and CapeNature, has identified this toad as a probable When people introduce tadpoles threat to the endangered Western from other regions of South Africa to Leopard Toad, as these two species Cape Town, this creates a problem. compete for similar resources and When these “foreign” tadpoles or an already limited habitat. adult toads are released in Cape Town wetlands, this introduces The City needs your help to capture a different subspecies or alien Guttural Toads on residential species to the area, both of which properties and scour the greenbelts will have a negative impact on around town for migrating and local biodiversity. These foreign breeding toads. Most activities individuals could also spread occur at night, as this is when the disease to the native fauna. toads are active.

130 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 131 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART When planting indigenous, soils soils When planting indigenous, in Fynbos, preparation. little require are dies when fertilisers particular, years well for the first two Water added. non-potable water), with (preferably time when which is the most important establishing plants. PLANTING TREES soil the that ensure planting trees, For is as nutrient-rich as possible by using dust. and rock bone meal compost, soil should be Depending on your area, as the sun, it from mulched to protect drying out. from the roots this prevents can also plant indigenous ground You covers and use these as living mulch. local nursery will be able to advise Your you on the best options. on the size will depend Planting trees of your your plot: If your plot is small, will need all the indigenous garden opt so it will be best to sun it can get, indigenous (water-wise) for smaller, covers (see list shrubs and ground on page 133). ESTABLISHING ESTABLISHING GARDEN A in Cape When establishing a garden consider using indigenous Town, are gardens Town Soils in Cape plants. mostly suitable for fynbos or strandveld is sunny the area provided plants, plants Fynbos the year. throughout buchus and ericas) restios, (proteas, sandy soils. well in acid, will grow well in most plants will grow Strandveld to page 132 and 133 (Turn sandy soils. for a list of indigenous species.) INDIGENOUS INDIGENOUS GARDENING The previous sections have shown sections have shown previous The working to the City is actively that natural precious Town’s conserve Cape to we all have a part Yet environment. including in our homes. play, many ways in which you can are There Mother City’s the help save and protect following The unique biodiversity. tips on practical sections provide conserve and how you can protect or school. work, home, biodiversity at any aim should be to reduce The goods impact on the natural negative essential to are and services that human life. ENVIRONMENT AT AT ENVIRONMENT HOME YOUR IMPORTANCE AND Different places in Cape Town present different growing conditions, including BENEFITS OF HAVING varying rainfall, wind exposure, and soil AN INDIGENOUS types. Therefore, a single list of plants will GARDEN not suit all areas across town. For more information on suitable species Even if you live on a small plot, planting for your area, consult the website of a garden will help stabilise soil, prevent the South African National Biodiversity dust and sand from blowing into your Institute (SANBI) – the address is indicated home, create shade to cool the home, and under “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” at provide a space for animals and plants to the end of this chapter. live. And if planting a garden, why not fill it with locally indigenous plants? Here’s why. Most general nurseries will also have a selection of plants, and the nursery staff Over centuries, Cape Town’s locally will be able to guide you in selecting those indigenous plants have developed along suitable for your garden’s soil type. with local animals in a complex system of life. This system needs to be supported instead of disrupted to retain the various INDIGENOUS PLANTS forms of life it contains. In addition, local plants are adjusted to cope with Here are some examples of locally Cape Town’s harsh, sandy conditions. indigenous plants to consider planting in Once established, they require little your Cape Town garden: supplementary watering, which reduces the amount of water you need to keep your TREES garden beautiful. Check Assegai Tree (Curtisia dentata) If you live close to Table Mountain Check Camphor Bush (Tarchonanthus National Park, a nature reserve or a natural camphoratus) vegetation remnant, planting locally indigenous species becomes even more Check Cape Saffron (Cassine peragua) important. This is because the introduction of plants from other areas may cause cross- Check White Milkwood (Sideroxylon breeding (hybridisation) with related wild inerme) species, which undermines conservation Check Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. efforts and decreases genetic diversity. africana) This is particularly relevant for proteas (including sugarbushes, spiderheads, pincushions, pagodas and conebushes), ericas (heaths), Bitou (Osteospermum) and Agapanthus.

132 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 133

(Chasmanthe (Chasmanthe (Cliffortia ferruginea) (Cliffortia (Aloe arborescens, Aloe Aloe (Aloe arborescens, and and orbiculata) (Cotyledon Suurkanol Suurkanol (Arctotis (Arctotis Silver Arctotis stoechadifolia) aethiopica) (Limonium Lavender (Limonium Sea perigrinum) (Helichrysum (Helichrysum Golden Carpet cymosum) Glastee (Plecostachys Bush (Plecostachys Cobweb serpyllifolia) Coastal Pelargonium Pelargonium Coastal betulinum and (Pelargonium capitatum) Pelargonium (Geranium (Geranium Geranium Carpet incanum) Pelargoniums Succulents such as vygies and Pig’s , (Carpobrotus) Sour Fig Ear Bulbinella (Elegia (Elegia Reed Thatching Cape tectorum) Aloes Aloe succotrina) and maculata (Zantedeschia Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check PROPAGATED EASILY PLANTS of Simply cut a side branch these plants and stick it in damp ground: Check BULBS, AND REEDS BULBS, COVERS GROUND Check , laevigata) (Searsia (Felicia filifolia) filifolia) (Felicia (Metalasia muricata) muricata) (Metalasia crenata (Leonotis leonurus) leonurus) Wild Dagga (Leonotis Wild Malva (Pelargonium cucullatum) Wild Scabious (Scabiosa incisa) (Eriocephalus Wild Rosemary africanus) Rhus known as Rhus previously laevigata Geelblombos (Athanasia dentata) Phylica (Phylica ericoides) Heath Silver Bush Everlasting (Helichrysum petiolare) Wild Aster Dune Taaibos Dune Taaibos (Felicia aethiopica) aethiopica) (Felicia Blue Felicia Blue Salvia (Salvia chamelaeagnea) (Salvia africana- Salvia Brown lutea) album) (Coleonema May Cape Sunshine Conebush Common salignum) (Leucadendron (Searsia Dune Crowberry known as previously , crenata) Rhus Blombos Blombos

Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check SHRUBS CONTAINER GARDEN INVASIVE ALIEN TREES

If you do not have a garden, consider Check Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) container planting on your windowsill, Check Manatoka (Myoporum tenuifolium) balcony or even on your roof (if it is flat and protected). With big enough pots, you Check Orange Cestrum (Cestrum can also plant herbs and some food plants aurantiacum) (such as peppers). However, container planting in covered or shielded spaces Check Pines such as the Cluster Pine requires special attention, as conditions (Pinus pinaster) may be very hot (especially if your balcony Check Port Jackson (Acacia saligna) or roof is north-facing and tiled) or very windy. You may need to create some Check Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops) added protection or shade. Check Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES INVASIVE ALIEN SCRUBS Be extremely careful not to plant any Check American Bramble invasive alien species in your garden. (Rubus cuneifolius) Invasive alien species such as Rooikrans and Fountain Grass pose some of the Check European Blackberry greatest threats to biodiversity, use much (Rubus fruticosus) more water than fynbos plants, and Check French Broom (Genista increase the risk of severe wildfires. In monspessulana) fact, it is a contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Check Hakeas (such as Hakea drupacea, Act (NEM:BA) to plant or keep invasive alien Hakea gibbosa, Hakea sericea and species on your property. There are many Hakea suaveolens) indigenous and non-invasive alien species that may be substituted for the invasive Check Oleander (Nerium oleander) plants in your garden. Check Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum) The SANBI website contains a list Check Tickberry (Lantana camara) of declared invader plants (turn to for the “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” Check Triffid Weed (Chromolaena odorata) address). Some species that should no longer be traded and be actively removed from your garden are indicated opposite:

134 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 135

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Once populations are widely widely are Once populations are costly operations established, and to contain them implemented impact. their negative mitigate with costs associated the Naturally, less than those are EDRR efforts of invasive species long-term management programmes. and reporting help by spotting can You there In 2019, species. EDRR target plant species on the Cape 21 were list. target EDRR programme Peninsula or on how to on this information For go to “CONTACTS as a spotter, register AND RESOURCES” for information on EDRR. Lawns require enormous amounts amounts enormous Lawns require Although of and maintenance. water (Cynodon or “Kweek” Grass Couch dactylon) is adapted to our soils and quickly to spread it tends dry climate, it is unwanted, where into areas Do beds. including your garden (Pennisetum Grass not plant Kikuyu African clandestinum) – this East species is invasive and difficult to control. to minimise to lawn are Alternatives used or to consider the actual area or mulching in those paving, decking, is however, best alternative, The areas. to plant a totally indigenous garden, you in mind that Bear without any lawn. will need to have enough non-potable newly planted available to water water so that indigenous plants for two years systems root they can establish healthy and become water-wise. REDUCING LAWNS

) vulgare

) stratiotes Red Water Fern (Azolla Fern Water Red filiculoides) (Salvinia Weed Fern/Kariba Water molesta) Hyacinth (Eichhornia Water ) crassipes (Pistia Lettuce Water Centranthus ruber) (Centranthus Beard Devil’s (Pennisetum Grass Fountain selloana) Curse (Echium Paterson’s plantagineum) Bugloss (Echium Viper’s ) alopecuroides Cortaderia ( Grass Pampas

Check Check Check Check INVASIVE ALIEN ALIEN INVASIVE PLANTS WATER of the introduction invasive Preventing species is the first line of defence even the However, against invasions. will not stop all efforts best prevention being introduced. from invasive species second line of The defence is early (EDRR). response detection and rapid the likelihood increase EDRR efforts invasions will be addressed that are successfully while populations be contained and and can still small, possibly eradicated. Check Check Check Check INVASIVE ALIEN HERBS INVASIVE Check TREES

Trees are an essential part of our Check create habitats and safe natural landscape and of Cape refuge for other organisms. Town’s cultural and aesthetic Check condition and improve backdrop. Trees also have a large soil quality. part to play in making Cape Town resilient and adaptable to climate Check bind soil, prevent soil erosion, change. They offer a range of and slow rainfall runoff. benefits ranging from social to ecological and economic, as Trees are economically beneficial, listed below: as they:

Trees are socially beneficial, as they: Check increase property values.

Check connect people to nature. Check create indirect savings by reducing building heating Check add aesthetic or “green” value and cooling costs. to landscapes. Check reduce infrastructure (e.g. Check absorb traffic noise pollution. stormwater management) costs by absorbing and Check provide windbreaks. transpiring groundwater. Check provide privacy. Check have commercial and Check improve physical and livelihood value (food, fruit, mental health. flowers, bark, roots, medicine, timber). Check sustain cultural and spiritual values. Check provide shade, and cool down hot areas. Check create memorable spaces. For more information on trees in Trees are ecologically beneficial, Cape Town, have a look at the City’s as they: Toolkit for Green Infrastructure Plan booklet (look under Check capture carbon, produce “CONTACTS ). oxygen, and release moisture AND RESOURCES” into the atmosphere through transpiration.

136 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 137 Thatch is highly flammable, is highly flammable, Thatch should be roofs so thatch with certified impregnated chemicals to fire-retardant them fire-resistant. make to sprinkler system adequate A roof thatch wet down the entire should also in an emergency be installed and maintained do not have a Rather regularly. roof ifthatch you live in a fire risk area. Maintain and clean your gutters your gutters Maintain and clean dry leaves Accumulated regularly. can and other debris in gutters as a spark hazard, pose a fire could landing on the dry leaves set your roof alight. If you live in an area at risk of at If in an area you live maintain your fires, vegetation all invasive remove and garden (many ofalien trees which are plant Rather highly flammable). such as less-flammable plants lawn and succulents grass buffalo boundary. property your around SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check FIRE risk. pose a fire should not Gardens Check Another factor to consider in your Another factor to consider in your depending Ideally, is fencing. garden this should on your neighbourhood, be open palisade or have small gaps to allow small fauna the ground near to Toads) Leopard Western (such as their and move between gardens Open palisade also has sites. breeding a sense security benefits and creates of community. a areas, vegetation In fire-prone low wall (allowing solid, continuous, such as above, one to see through columns with steel palisade) through to help stop ground is recommended entering your property. fires having electric fence strands Avoid level, lower than 15 cm above ground or kill small animals as this can injure their safe movement. and prevent FENCING If you choose to reduce lawns by If lawns by reduce you choose to such surfaces, hard them with replacing ensure please or stones, as paving permeable are the new surfaces that under paving). (avoid plastic sheeting surfaces in your garden Impermeable penetrating from rainfall prevent the water the soil and replenishing and local wetlands. aquifers, table, enable that use alternatives Rather that paving such as porous penetration, gaps through allows plants to grow or gravel, pavers), “grass-over” (like woodchip mulch. Check Know how to respond in the event Check Stay informed by downloading of an emergency. Be responsible and sharing the City’s Coastal with braai and other cooking Management Programme (the link fires. Do not leave open flames can be found under “CONTACTS unattended. Learn about fire safety AND RESOURCES”). and prevention. Understand what is Check Learn more about our lesser- meant by the fire danger index and known beaches and our coastline’s keep an eye on it during the Cape’s fascinating ecology and creatures by fire season (summer). browsing the City’s beaches portal or downloading the beaches booklet (get details about both under In case of an emergency in Cape “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”). Town, call 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone. Check Make use of the City’s Identikidz beach project during the December/ January holiday season, which gives young beach visitors identification armbands and registers them to PROTECTING ensure that they can be reunited OUR COAST with their parents if they get lost.

Here are some practical ways in which you can help the City preserve our THE WWF-SA precious coast: SOUTHERN AFRICAN Check Call the Marine and Environmental SUSTAINABLE Law Enforcement Unit to report any SEAFOOD INITIATIVE suspicious or anti-social behaviour on or near the coast (get their (WWF-SASSI) details under “CONTACTS AND WWF-SASSI aims to inform and educate RESOURCES”). people in the seafood trade (such as Check Participate in coastal clean-up days fishermen, restaurant owners and seafood throughout the year. lovers) on the laws and regulations that apply to the commercial harvesting, buying Check Check the status of fish you buy or or selling of seafood. These regulations order in a restaurant with WWF- have been established to ensure that these SASSI (see “CONTACTS AND resources are used sustainably. RESOURCES”). WWF-SASSI’s consumer species list tells Check Dispose of old fishing line in the you which South African seafood species dedicated fishing line bins. are legal and more sustainable to exploit, and is updated regularly:

138 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 139 Birds also easily become become also easily Birds dependent (and overweight) on food supply. an artificial planting various flowering plants – and insects for birds to attract ericas, Proteas, to feed on. birds salvias and other Paw, Lion’s plants will tubular-flowered and other nectar sunbirds attract while berry-producing feeders, frugivores shrubs will attract such as birds) (fruit-eating bulbuls; Bird feeders artificially feeders artificially Bird as a and, birds concentrate disease. can spread result, They must not be accessible to to must not be accessible They or small mammals, domestic cats and rodents. especially squirrels SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check sugar fruit, think of food (seed, bird So, irregular etc.) as an occasional, water, In of instead diet for birds. a staple treat as cane sugar is probably refined fact, as it is for humans! for birds unhealthy consider: Rather Check Check ATTRACTING BIRDS BIRDS ATTRACTING GARDEN YOUR TO popular is an extremely Birdwatching also It is often (and addictive) hobby. good place A competitive! rather to your birds is by attracting to start neighbourhood. and garden feeders for bird Many people use have some feeders Yet this purpose. drawbacks: Check “Green status” fish are the best best the are fish status” “Green as eat, you to buy and choice for with current cope better they can fishing pressures. should be fish status” “Orange Rather with caution. considered as these fish, do not buy and eat or either overexploited they are fisheries. problem come from never be fish should status” “Red Some of them bought or eaten. Africa, illegal to sell in South are or extremely specially protected, and endangered. overexploited fish. status” “red Do not buy or eat

Encourage naturalisation of suitable naturalisation Encourage public open spaces in your community. work with the City’s instance, For Department and Parks Recreation verges on road grass to replace with indigenous shrubs and trees. schools could also encourage You around indigenous gardens to start and field edges. playgrounds the following additional at Look involved in suggestions for getting and enhancing protecting, greening, of beauty your area: the natural YOUR YOUR COMMUNITY Check Check Check in If seafood you intend ordering or buying fish or other a restaurant use the home, to cook at seafood app. WWF-SASSI service or the FishMS go to “CONTACTS details, more For the end of AND RESOURCES” at this chapter. Check introducing species that host insect Check Garden refuse often contains larvae (e.g. Wild Peach, or Kiggelaria invasive plant matter, such as kikuyu africana) and provide insect grass and weeds, which will invade nesting material (e.g. Kapokbos, the veld in which it is dumped. Eriocephalus species, and Check Broken glass disposed of in the veld Camphor Bush, or Tarchonanthus can magnify sunlight onto a spot camphoratus); and start a fire. It can also injure wild Check including thorny shrubs and trees animals and people. (such as Grewia and Gymnosporia Check Any paper, plastic, or other rubbish species) to provide safe nesting sites thrown into the street, onto the for birds; ground, down the stormwater drain Check creating a layered garden with or anywhere besides a designated ground covers, herbs, grasses, refuse area is known as “littering”. shrubs, and trees to provide This is not only illegal, but plastic varied habitat and food sources litter in particular is very harmful for insectivores (insect-eating to animals. birds) such as white-eyes, and for In addition, do not drive your car, truck, seedeaters such as Cape Sparrow, or any other vehicle on the beach or in canaries, and waxbills; and natural areas. The City’s off-road vehicle Check leave fallen leaves to rot and act as regulations prohibit driving on any beach, mulch in garden beds, as this will unless you have an exemption or permit. also attract robins and thrushes to If you own a motorcycle or quad bike, scratch for insects. ensure that you ride only in properly designated areas that have been set aside for this activity. KEEPING YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN AND CLUBS ENVIRONMENTALLY Cape Town has a very active network of FRIENDLY environmental clubs, societies and groups:

Take your garden, household, and building Check If you are interested in birds, join the refuse to your local solid waste drop-off Cape Bird Club, which is a branch of facility (read the chapter on waste for BirdLife South Africa. more details). Check If flowers are your passion, join If this waste is dumped in the veld, it the Botanical Society and CREW destroys our natural areas: (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers). Check Builders’ rubble can crush natural vegetation and alter soil conditions.

140 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 141

Do not throw cigarette cigarette Do not throw in the street. butts Clean your sidewalks and and your sidewalks Clean litter driveways to prevent blocking drains. from SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

The City’s Coastal Management Management Coastal City’s The regular co-ordinates Branch various surveys at microplastic welcome are Volunteers beaches. their to assist or to conduct for Registration own surveys. citizen science this international study is free. on how information more For look under to get involved, AND RESOURCES” “CONTACTS for contact details. Check chapter. See Water Check Do not dump anything Do not dump anything down the other than water drain. stormwater Use pesticides and sparingly in your fertilisers home garden. poop. dog’s up your Pick

ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN RAIN DOWN ONLY THE BIG MICROPLASTIC SURVEY SURVEY BIG MICROPLASTIC THE one of are the Microplastics the biggest issues facing have They present. at oceans on marine a significant impact and, ecosystems animals, Big The human health. ultimately, Survey uses citizen Microplastic across science to do research the world on the distribution and types of found microplastics The along various coastlines. of awareness goal is to raise plastic pollution in our oceans, and of citizen ways in which each this. to reduce can do their part Check Check Check Check Several of Cape Town’s nature reserves and greenbelts have active HUMAN- friends groups (such as Friends of Helderberg), who help with a WILDLIFE wide range of volunteer work and fundraising. CONFLICT As Cape Town is located in an area of Check If you enjoy hiking, join your local outstanding natural beauty, this means it hiking/walking club or the Mountain also serves as a habitat to wild animals. Club. If fighting veld fires inspires With urbanisation on the rise, this often you, join the Volunteer Wildfire results in conflict between humans and Services (VWS). wildlife. In some instances, wild animals need to be caught, and relocated Check The City, in partnership with the or euthanised. Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET), also accepts The City has a successful baboon individual and groups of volunteers management programme that helps keep to assist the Environmental baboon troops out of urban spaces (with Management Department with a success rate of 99,5%) and mitigates various biodiversity management conflict. For the dedicated baboon tasks, coastal citizen science hotline number, look under “CONTACTS initiatives, environmental education AND RESOURCES”. and awareness, invasive species clearance, and litter clean-ups. For any other animals that require removal, please contact CapeNature’s If you cannot support an environmental Cape Metro Business Unit for the latest group through active participation, list of animal catchers (see “CONTACTS consider assisting in other ways, such as AND RESOURCES” for their number). through donations, whether financial or These are professionals who hold valid in kind (by giving things such as tools CapeNature permits to move animals, or trees). remove beehives, or handle snakes. Do not be tempted to try and corner, trap, or kill any animals yourself, particularly snakes, caracals and baboons. Rather call for assistance.

Do your part by preventing any pets from escaping and entering nature reserves. Turn to “CONTACTS AND Try to control your domestic pets as far for the contact RESOURCES” as possible. Cats should wear collars details of the organisations with bells to alert birds, lizards and mentioned above. small mammals.

142 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 143 Plant indigenous plants, as as Plant indigenous plants, baboons normally prefer or alien plants. exotic Do not plant unsecured such food gardens, as vegetables or fruit. using a secure Consider or other greenhouse baboons so that enclosures do not have access. If you can, store your your store If you can, or a bin in the garage cage. lockable If your bin is out, put a lock put a lock If your bin is out, it upright on it and secure or against a wall or pole, place it on its side (locks on the ground) towards the pavement or roadside. Keep your dogs away away your dogs Keep Baboons baboons. from have sharp strong, are and will fight back if teeth, attacked. Place TV antennae in in antennae TV Place ofyour ceiling instead on the roof. Try to reinforce all visible all visible reinforce to Try and downpipes. gutters SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check Check If an in or near you live occur baboons where area a baboon-proof naturally, the electric fence around is perimeter property recommended. sliding that sure Make on windows have latches as these will either side, pulling stop baboons from and breaking the frame the glass. If windows open, you keep the burglar that ensure fitted. properly bars are young baboons prevent To entering your from the gap between property, bars should not exceed If you do not want to 8 cm. consider block your view, guards. burglar see-through night bolts onto sliding Fit baboons doors to prevent the doors off lifting from their tracks.

DEALING WITH BABOONS AT HOME AT WITH BABOONS DEALING home to at Do the following manage baboons: proactively Check Check Check Check WHAT TO DO WITH SNAKES?

When you see a snake in the veld, Snakes eat rats, mice, and other leave it alone. Without fail, snakes pests, which makes them good (and all other creatures) perceive to have around gardens and humans as a threat and will try to residential areas. escape or use their camouflage as Three of the most common snake protection when they encounter species you could come across us. There is no need to kill it. If you in Cape Town suburbs are the leave it alone and remain at a safe Common Slug Eater, the Olive distance, the snake will move away. House Snake, and the Mole Snake. Most snakes are harmless to people, These are all harmless to humans, and the few that are venomous will and non-venomous. only bite if they feel threatened. For assistance with catching a Most people who get bitten by snake, please call the CapeNature snakes have frightened, disturbed, Cape Metro Business Unit, who will or even tried to kill the snake. In that refer you to a snake catcher in your case, the snake will fight back. area (turn to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” for the number).

BEEKEEPING

Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the In terms of the 2012 regulations human practice of maintaining published under the National honey bee colonies, usually in hives. Environmental Management: A beekeeper (or apiarist) keeps Protected Areas Act, no bee hives bees to collect honey and beeswax, are allowed inside or adjacent to pollinate crops, or produce bees nature reserves. Commercial bee for sale to other beekeepers. The hives can swamp wild bees and place where bees are kept is called other pollinators, spread disease, an apiary. An important function and affect the conservation of both of bees is the pollination of plants local pollinators and plant species. when the insects visit flowers for nectar and pollen, which they, in turn, need for food.

144 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 145 Compost or plant food (organic (organic or plant food Compost fertilisers). A hosepipe or watering can, with with can, hosepipe or watering A rain – preferably water access to as shower (such or greywater your from If water reusing water). it does that sure make bathroom, or harsh oils, not contain fats, can pollute your chemicals that plants. soil and harm or kill The width of The the beds should not 1 m and can be about exceed 2 m long – about the size of a door. Choose a place with the best Choose a place with the best possible soil quality. length of The the beds should (sunrise to sunset), run east-west is on a slope, unless your garden important in which case it is more the the beds run across that slope to avoid soil erosion. It should be close to your house It should be close to your house source. and have a water and the area by clearing Start grass, all weeds, removing and their roots. trees, bushes, Pick a spot that gets lots of a spot that Pick morning least, at sunshine or, from and is sheltered sun, the wind. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check PREPARING THE SOIL Check PLANNING YOUR PLANNING YOUR FOOD GARDEN Check A small piece of ground, small piece ofA ground, with good soil and preferably ample sunshine. equipment, Some gardening and rake. fork, such as a spade,

Check Check WHAT YOU NEED YOU WHAT STARTED GET TO For many of us, the rising cost of many of all us, For it makes especially vegetables, food, and something fresh eat to difficult way to An effective every day. green your save money while still getting “five a day” is to establish your own home garden. of following is a quick overview The your own food garden. how to start are there assistance, further For a who offer many local organisations advice, practical ofrange workshops, and resources. START YOUR YOUR START OWN FOOD GARDEN Dogs should be kept on a leash where where on a leash be kept Dogs should walking in such as when necessary, that reserves and nature areas forest never In addition, allow dog walking. ducks, unwanted pets (rabbits, release etc.) or dump tortoises, lizards, snakes, or reserve animal in a nature a dead public open space. Check Make a path around the bed so that Check Carefully sow the seeds in the you can access the veggie garden furrows – never too thick a layer, without having to stand in the beds. but always a few more seeds than you need, in case some do not Check It is important that the soil has come up. If too many come up, enough air, water, and nutrients you can transplant them to another for seeds to germinate, so prepare bed, or give them to a friend or your soil well. Trenching is a good neighbour. method of soil preparation. This entails layering topsoil, subsoil, and Check Cover the seeds with soil from either other organic matter (compost). side of the furrows. Press them down gently with your hand so that they are in close contact with the PLANTING YOUR soil and water them gently with a FOOD GARDEN watering can using non-potable water. Do not use a hosepipe, as Check Plant what you will eat – the bigger the strong jet of water will wash the the variety, the better for your seeds away. health and the health of the soil. If you plant one type of vegetable Check If the weather is very hot and dry, only (monoculture), you will find cover the soil where you planted the that there are long periods when seeds with a very fine layer of mulch you have nothing to eat from your – so thin that you can still see the garden, and a short period when soil through it. Remove the mulch you have an oversupply of one as soon as the seedlings come type of vegetable. You will also through the soil so that they can get most likely have more pests eating enough sunlight. your crop. Check Check every day to make sure that Check For a healthy harvest, sow seeds in the soil has enough moisture. the correct seasons and make sure that they are not planted too deep or too shallow. Read the instructions on the seed packet.

Check Plant short rows, not long ones, and make sure you do not waste any space. The distance between rows can be 20–50 cm, depending on the size of the crop.

146 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 147

WATER Turn everything everything Turn Some and tender loving care SOIL AND AIR: SOIL to time time from around SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Turning your organic waste into waste into your organic Turning way to improve compost is an excellent take the same time, at soil quality and, sites landfill Town’s off Cape pressure This harmful methane gas. and reduce is all it takes:

peels, green green peels, kitchen scraps, kitchen scraps, garden clippings garden NITROGEN-RICH fruit and vegetable fruit and vegetable -RICH CARBON brown garden waste, waste, garden brown such as leaves, straw twigs, brown Using compost in your garden binds binds your garden Using compost in and helps nutrients, increases the soil, which and air, the soil hold water enhances plant growth. COMPOSTING Most organic materials that rot or decay Check Avoid weeds with hard seeds, as will easily make good compost. You can they are not broken down in the use any of the following: composting process. To prevent weeds (especially invasive alien Check Garden waste, such as grass species) from spreading, place them cuttings, leaves, and dead flowers. in bags without dropping the seeds and transport these to a recognised Check Vegetable and fruit peelings, garden refuse dump. Never dump leftover salad (but no oily salad garden rubbish in the veld. dressing), tea leaves and tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells, stale Check If potato peels sprout or other bread, dead flowers, and outdated vegetable/fruit seeds germinate spices (but not salt, as it kills plants). in your compost heap, you can transplant these seedlings to your Check Paper, cardboard (not waxy/glossy), food garden. sawdust and wood shavings, animal manure (such as chicken), and Never use the following for composting: woodfire ash. Check Any inorganic material, such as The following materials should be metal, glass, plastics, chemicals, used sparingly or with discretion for paint, and rubble (building composting: materials).

Check Garden waste sprayed with Check Oil, fat, or grease, as these clog pesticides, toilet or septic tank the soil. waste, or diseased animal carcasses or plants. If you want to use these, Check Dairy (cheese, milk), meat, chicken preferably avoid them on food crops or fish, as these can attract rats and compost them for a longer time. and flies.

Check Cooked food scraps, as they can attract rats and mice. HOW TO START COMPOSTING Check Grass runners, as they can grow in your compost heap. There are many ways to make compost. Choose a method that suits the amount Check Citrus peels, such as orange peels, of waste you have and your available as they go mouldy and are acidic. time and space. The easiest way to make compost is simply to create a pile Check Branches and hard materials, as of organic waste, about 1 m wide, in a they take a long time to break down. sheltered and shady corner of the garden. Keep these in a separate pile. To keep the heap tidy, you might prefer to make it in a container. A sealed container is advisable if you have baboons in your area, and to discourage rats.

148 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 149 The compost is ready to use to use compost is ready The crumbly, when it is dark, can This soil. and smells like and between six weeks take depending on the six months, time of and the organic year is good idea A used. material compost to have two or more have one so you can heaps, while the other down, breaking one is being added to. In certain situations, it may it may situations, In certain to bury the organic be better or holes waste in soil trenches amount of the match that can grow You waste generated. or trees flowers, vegetables, As a bed. a trench from straight you sand layer covers the waste, avoid flies and smells. Water the heap regularly (keep (keep regularly the heap Water with non- but not wet, it moist, it over and turn potable water) a few fork after with a garden up the process. months to speed Initially, the compost heap will will compost heap the Initially, but will cool down again up, heat means This a few weeks. after it can you need to turn it so that kills heat The up again. heat weed seeds and fly larvae. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check HOW TO LOOK AFTER AFTER LOOK TO HOW HEAP COMPOST YOUR after look Once it is up and running, by following your compost heap these steps: Check First throw down a layer of throw First consisting of coarse material for aeration. twigs and straw of layers Place alternate “brown” (fresh “green” and (dried leaves) or kitchen waste) cuttings grass If proportions. in equal material (or some manure put available, layer in as an activator seaweed) between. Sprinkle non-potable water and soil, or rainwater), (greywater paper intermittently shredded between the layers until your is 1,5 m high. heap can build layers up over time You kitchen waste, as you accumulate or prune shrubs, mow the lawn, dry leaves. rake soil is needed to introduce The such as beneficial organisms, and woodlice, earthworms into the pile to help the decomposition process. pile of It is useful to have an extra or shredded (dry leaves material newspaper or soil) to place on top of to cover kitchen the heap flies away will keep This waste. or is little there that and ensure no smell. with a covered the heap Keep or old carpet soil, layer of straw, insects and other rats, to keep pests out.

Follow these steps: steps: these Follow Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Control flies by covering any new Check Avoid using harsh chemicals, material you add with dry soil, pesticides, and herbicides in your sawdust, grass, or leaves. garden – read page 152 for safer, more natural, alternatives to keep Check Turning the compost heap your garden pest-free. You can also makes the organic material break buy organic fertilisers, which are down faster. mostly in pellet form for slow release and should be used in moderation. Check Keep the heap moist, but not wet, Rather use organic compost to boost otherwise it will smell bad. If it does your garden if you need to. get too wet, add dry absorbent material such as sawdust, straw, or Check Remember that fynbos plants do manure, and turn the heap. not like fertilisers that contain lots of nitrogen and phosphorus, because Check If you find large, white, C-shaped they are adapted to grow in nutrient- grubs or larvae in the compost, poor soils. destroy them. They are the larvae of the large black-and-yellow Fruit Check When shopping, buy products that Chafer Beetle, which can do damage are free of hazardous chemicals, in the garden. thereby avoiding creating the problem in the first place. Read REDUCING TOXIC product labels closely so that you are aware of what a product CHEMICALS contains, and select the least harmful alternative you can afford. Check Commercial inorganic fertilisers come in salt form. They increase the salinity (salt content) of your soil, kill the natural life in the soil Turn to the Waste chapter for surface, and slowly reduce the some interesting alternatives variety of natural minerals in the to replace your conventional soil. A combination of manure, cleaning and other products, bone meal, and wood ash is a more as well as some useful hints natural fertiliser to use on trees, on which chemicals/products non-fynbos shrubs, and flowers, to avoid. as well as food gardens.

150 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 151 Green manure (such as rye grass) as rye grass) (such manure Green it goes to seed – dug in before Fruit (such as tomatoes, peppers, peppers, (such as tomatoes, Fruit and pumpkin) Flowers (such as cut flowers and Flowers (such as cut flowers and edible flowers) Leaves (such as lettuce, cabbage, cabbage, (such as lettuce, Leaves and Swiss chard/spinach) Roots (such as carrots and and (such as carrots Roots beetroot) SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check CROP ROTATION CROP in the crop a similar growing Avoid as season, after season same area specific specialised in eating pests are Instead, and types ofparts vegetables. the vegetable types in a alternate do not words, bed – in other particular such as carrots types of two grow roots, other. to each next and beetroot, of contains examples list below The types of vegetables you the different planting different can plant in rotation, times of different at combinations the year: Check Always dispose of synthetic, ofAlways dispose synthetic, chemicals, hazardous harmful or other or any paint, used oil, a City substance at unnatural formal facility or other drop-off available collection point (details These in the waste chapter). be thrown substances must never or street, into the down drains, because dumped in the veld, rivers, they end up in our killing and oceans, estuaries, many plants and destroying and animals. swimming pool water Ideally, or diverted should be recycled and into the sewer system, into the not be discharged Never drains. stormwater swimming pool discharge reserve backwash into a nature as or other public open space, harmful the pool chemicals are to plants.

Check Check HERBAL PESTICIDES

For natural pest avoidance, plant these herbal pesticides between your vegetables or make a tea from them, let it cool, and spray it on the affected areas:

PROBLEM RECOMMENDED PLANT/HERB General repellent Garlic, ginger Aphid Garlic, onion, spearmint, nasturtium, basil, lavender Beetles Rosemary, garlic, chillies, marigold Cabbage moth Dill, mint, thyme, tomato, oregano Carrot fly Sage, turnip, parsnip Caterpillars Feverfew, lavender, aromatic herbs Fruit flies Trap in bottles with molasses-and-water mix Mildew Garlic, chives, onion Nematodes, eel worm Marigold Red spider mite Onion, Dgarlic, ginger Snails Garlic,E parsley, sage White fly Nasturtium,V basil, marigold

For more on pest control, turn to the Waste chapter.

152 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 153153 —John Paul II —John Paul SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART “THE EARTH WILL NOT NOT WILL “THE EARTH OFFER TO CONTINUE EXCEPT ITS HARVEST, WITH FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP. SAY WE CANNOT THE LAND WE LOVE AND THEN TAKE IT DESTROY TO STEPS FUTURE FOR USE BY GENERATIONS.” CONTACTS AND RESOURCES

CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE AT

Baboon hotline A dedicated line operated on behalf 071 588 6540 of the City where problematic incidents and encounters with baboons in the urban environment may be reported

Blue Flag South Africa WESSA webpage dedicated to the www.wessa.org.za/what-we-do/ South African Blue Flag programme ecotourism2/blue-flag-sa/

Botanical Society A non-profit organisation that aims http://botsoc-kirstenbosch.org.za/ to promote, conserve and raise awareness of indigenous flora and vegetation of Southern Africa

Cape Bird Club A community of birders who share an www.capebirdclub.org.za enthusiasm for birds and the beautiful [email protected] Cape

CapeNature’s Cape Metro Business Unit that can assist with a list of 021 957 5900 Unit registered and professional animal catchers

Cape Town Environmental Education An organisation that supports the www.cteet.co.za Trust (CTEET) preservation of Cape Town’s unique 021 444 2794 and biodiverse natural heritage 086 764 6942 (fax) [email protected]

City’s beaches portal A webpage dedicated to Cape Town’s www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20 world-class beaches and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/ Our-recreational-facilities/Beaches

City of Cape Town Beaches: Booklet with information on the well- www.capetown.gov.za and search for: A Diversity of Coastal Treasures known and lesser-known beaches of Diversity of Coastal Treasures Cape Town

Coastal Management Programme A detailed City plan that sets out www.capetown.gov.za and search for: how the administration goes about Coastal Management Programme’ protecting and managing the Cape Town coastal environment

CREW (Custodians of Rare and A citizen science programme that www.sanbi.org/biodiversity/ Endangered Wildflowers) surveys and monitors plants of building-knowledge/ conservation concern in areas known biodiversitymonitoring- to house threatened plants assessment/custodiansof- rare-and-endangered- wildflowerscrew- programme/

154 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 155

www.wwfsassi.co.za/sassi-app/ www.wwfsassi.co.za/sassi-app/ 079 499 8795 Send a “FishMS”: [email protected] www.vws.org.za [email protected] http://pza.sanbi.org www.sanbi.org/documents/nemba- invasive-alien-species-regulations/ https://microplasticsurvey.org www.sharkspotters.org.za www.sharkspotters.org.za SMS: 31373 (maximum SMS: 31373 (maximum 160 characters) 0860 103 089 www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves 0800 205 005 021 480 7700 www.capetown.gov.za and search for: for: and search www.capetown.gov.za Programme Infrastructure Green AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE www.capetown.gov.za and search for: and search www.capetown.gov.za Response Early Detection and Rapid SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Initiative that shares useful useful shares that Initiative on the sustainability information ofstatus species various seafood A non-profit organisation that helps helps that organisation non-profit A runaway wildfires combat Information about suitable locally about suitable locally Information indigenous species for your garden invader on declared and information plants Website with information on the on the with information Website and when where and programme on duty are Shark Spotters Contact details for reporting waterway waterway details for reporting Contact pollution to the City Opening hours, features, and facilities features, Opening hours, Hotline operated by the National by the National Hotline operated all environmental Government where including incidents may be reported, people feeding baboons A specialised law enforcement unit unit law enforcement specialised A compliance improving aimed at within the marine, and enforcement natural coastal and terrestrial, environments City guidelines to help Capetonians City guidelines to help Capetonians Town’s Cape manage and improve including trees infrastructure, green DESCRIPTION Information on the Cape Peninsula Peninsula the Cape on Information detection of for the early programme to invader plants response and rapid SA SA Southern African - WWF (SASSI) Initiative Sustainable Seafood The Big Microplastic Survey Big Microplastic The Services (VWS) Wildfire Volunteer South African National Biodiversity Biodiversity National African South Institute (SANBI) Shark Spotters programme Shark Spotters Reporting dumping and littering in in dumping and littering Reporting waterways Town’s Cape Nature reserves managed by the City reserves Nature National Environmental Crimes and Crimes and Environmental National Incidents Hotline Marine and Environmental Law Law Marine and Environmental Unit Enforcement Green Infrastructure Programme: Best Best Programme: Infrastructure Green Guidelines Practice CONTACT/RESOURCE response Early detection and rapid (EDRR) TRANSPORT

Transport is a vital part of modern-day transport is equally crucial, as it enables society, enabling communication, trade the movement of resources from one and other forms of exchange between location to the other, enabling people people. From a social perspective, high- and societies as a whole to produce and quality transport puts communities within prosper. Yet many types of transport easy reach of basic services, facilities contribute to air pollution and climate and job opportunities. This, in turn, change and take up large tracts of land. promotes social inclusion and enhances Therefore, transport needs to be properly quality of life. From an economic angle, planned and managed.

156 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

157 64% Local government Local BY SECTOR BY 8% 12% ENERGY CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION ENERGY 13% Industrial SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART of time. As a result, the traffic peak peak the traffic a result, As of time. which places longer, period is getting on the transport a significant strain system and infrastructure. As the following figure shows, transport transport shows, As the following figure ofis the biggest consumer energy the sector and (64%), Town in Cape gas the most greenhouse produces emissions as well. Residential Residential

34% Commercial Commercial 26% BY SECTOR BY , City of Cape Town. City of Cape 2040, Energy Town Cape Transport Transport CARBON EMISSIONS EMISSIONS CARBON 10% 22% As Cape Town and its economy grow, and its economy grow, Town As Cape This means congestion increases. traffic as cars emitted, emissions are more for longer periods stuck in traffic are Cape Town’s energy consumption by sector (right) and carbon emissions by consumption by sector (right) and carbon emissions by energy Town’s Cape sector (left). Source: Source: An estimated 38% of Capetonians 38% ofAn estimated Capetonians to get around transport on public rely use of make private rest The the city. in bumper- has resulted This transport. on most of the city’s to-bumper traffic excessive which generates roads, carbon emissions and contributes to change and air pollution. climate IMPORTANCE OF OF IMPORTANCE TRANSPORT The City realises that an efficient public transport system and an integrated CLEANER, transport network is the only way to ease RENEWABLE congestion on Cape Town’s roads. That is why the administration has increased its TECHNOLOGY investment in this regard. FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PRIVATE CHALLENGES TRANSPORT Transport and vehicle technologies mostly Challenges that have traditionally been still use non-renewable resources, such as linked to transport globally, including fossil fuels. However, technology is steadily Cape Town: moving away from fossil fuels towards Check a lack of good-quality cleaner fuels and vehicle technologies public transport; such as biofuels and electric vehicles. This is set to reduce emissions and improve Check traffic congestion and parking air quality. Investing in new technologies difficulties; is expensive, but the long-term economic and environmental benefits to be gained Check reduced air quality; from using renewable energy are vast. Check long distances between work and home; Some progress made in this regard, including in Cape Town, are: Check geographic segregation Check improved vehicle technology, and isolation; such as electric vehicles, bicycles, Check accidents and safety; scooters, tuk-tuks, and segway transporters, and better fuels for Check a lack of safe facilities for non- efficient engine technology; motorised transport, including bicycles; Check the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology to power vehicles; Check loss of public space to new transport infrastructure; Check the development of biofuels and other alternative fuels; and Check high infrastructure maintenance costs; and Check more efficient vehicle inspection and maintenance programmes. Check high fossil fuel consumption.

158 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 159 minimises the use of and land ofthe production noise. reuses and recycles its its and recycles reuses components; and limits emissions to within the within the limits emissions to ability to absorb them, planet’s ofminimises consumption and resources, non-renewable oflimits consumption renewable sustainable to the resources yield level; SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check SHIFTING TO SHIFTING TO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT OPTIONS needs more that City recognises The the goals of to be done to reach it this end, To sustainable transport. (“avoid-shift- A-S-I has adopted the concept and encourages improve”) citizens to do the same. meets the access needs of individuals and societies safely, equitably and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health; efficiently, operates is affordable, a choice ofoffers transport a vibrant and supports modes, economy;

Through its Comprehensive Integrated Integrated its Comprehensive Through the Plan (CITP) 2018–2023, Transport the vision ofCity has adopted “an system transport integrated efficient, The sustainably”. for all – implemented CITP sets out how the City will build made in it has already on the progress intermodal and delivering integrated, Town. in Cape transport interoperable to City intends to use transport The Town, form of change the spatial Cape as well as to build sustainable integrated means This communities. only goal. is not the City’s transport prioritising the City regards Instead, driver to as the key transport reality, spatial Town’s Cape address and with all its urban inefficiencies social inequality. is about how Sustainable transport with environmental, interacts transport economic and social systems. a sustainable instance, For system: transport Check Check TRANSPORT IN IN TRANSPORT THE CITY A-S-I may be explained as follows: ACTIVE Check “Avoid” is about avoiding the use of motorised transport wherever MOBILITY possible, or reducing the need and Over the past while, the City has created desire to travel. Individuals can approximately 495 km of bicycle lanes. avoid driving by walking, cycling Some of these dedicated lanes run parallel or using public transport, as well to major public transport routes. as by working from home through increased access to information systems and technology, and making use of amenities nearby. Sometimes, this might involve planning ahead WHAT IS or thinking twice before jumping in the car to drive to a nearby shop. TRANSIT- Avoiding unnecessary driving ORIENTED has other positive outcomes as well, including an opportunity DEVELOP­MENT? for physical activity and meeting Transit-oriented development up with neighbours and friends (TOD) is a planning while walking on neighbourhood approach that recognises the streets. When cities and suburbs interdependence between are planned as mixed-use, walkable land use and transport. It areas, it is easier and more attractive is based on the principle for people to walk or cycle instead that dense and mixed-use of driving to local amenities. developments support public transport services. Check “Shift” refers to making a modal shift from energy-intensive transport TOD seeks to attract modes, such as private cars, towards development to locations more sustainable modes, such as close to public transport non-motorised transport (cycling or nodes and along public walking), public transport, or shifting transport corridors. This to off-peak travel. spatial intensity enables more non-motorised trips, helps Check “Improve” refers to vehicle and fuel avoid the use of inefficient efficiency, as well as the optimisation motorised transport and shifts of transport infrastructure. The aim travel demand. is to improve the energy efficiency of transport modes, related vehicle technology, and technology that supports the road network.

160 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 161

Melkbosstrand; Melkbosstrand; Atlantis; Atlantis; Table View; View; Table SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check PUBLIC PUBLIC TRANSPORT ofUsing public instead private way to travel. is a smarter transport financial brings Good public transport and households. savings for individuals benefits, environmental It also offers cars on the roads with fewer private vehicle emissions. emitting MyCiTi transit bus rapid Town’s is Cape MyCiTi It includes dedicated system. (BRT) BRT bus lanes and scheduled services. right-of-way for dedicated provides and prioritises buses in some areas vehicles when they public transport with cars and traffic in mixed travel mean features These other vehicles. the traffic buses can move through that makes which cars, faster than private low-emission well-maintained, MyCiTi’s alternative. buses an attractive quality service and provides MyCiTi aims to be universally accessible with for easy and level boarding ramps and disembarking by people boarding those in wheelchairs, with disabilities, in with young children parents and passengers travelling prams, with luggage. in: operates service currently The Check Commuters who use MyCiTi buses, for for buses, use MyCiTi who Commuters to ride the bus part able are instance, cycling, and then switch to of the way, to travel permitted and cyclists are To bus. MyCiTi with bicycles on the development the continued support cycling will make that of infrastructure option for commuters, an attractive a Bicycle the City has also developed Master Plan. cycling is walking and Currently, for the main mode of transport 9% of Capetonians, approximately many of travel them too poor to the non- improve To any other way. experience, motorised transport the City is investing in therefore, and cycle pedestrian infrastructure safe for users. are that paths recognition is also a growing There of and wellness benefits the health Public of and cycling. walking regular walking recommend experts health 10 000 steps a day to increase burning fitness by building stamina, calories and making your excess healthier. heart users public transport In this regard, to and benefits walking health can reap interchanges, public transport from one of Moreover, and stops. stations the benefits ofa working and living in is the option of compact area walking Research or cycling to work and school. making small changes has shown that habits can to established transport personal health have considerable reducing emissions while also benefits, people out and congestion by keeping of their cars. Check central Cape Town; MyCiTi has a cashless, distance-based fare system. Passengers need a myconnect Check the Atlantic seaboard; card loaded with Standard fare or Mover points. Cards can be purchased at selected Check Hout Bay (including Hangberg and MyCiTi station kiosks and some retailers. Imizamo Yethu); For more information on how to travel Check Century City; using MyCiTi, including destinations, fares and timetables, see “CONTACTS AND Check Khayelitsha; RESOURCES” at the end of the chapter.

Check Mitchells Plain;

Check Montague Gardens; METRORAIL

Rail is potentially the largest public Check Dunoon; transport service in Cape Town and is Check Summer Greens; often described as the backbone of public transport in the city. Rail offers Check Joe Slovo Park; benefits other modes do not: It carries more passengers and runs on dedicated Check Milnerton; infrastructure, which means it can travel Check Salt River; and unimpeded and faster than road-based transport during congested periods. Check Woodstock. Metrorail is currently upgrading its fleet and infrastructure to revitalise the service. There is also a MyCiTi airport service from central Cape Town. Passengers can purchase tickets at railway stations for daily, weekly or monthly travel. The MyCiTi network consists of 46 There is a choice of two travel classes on interconnected routes, 40 stations and all trains, namely MetroPlus or Metro. If more than 300 stops. Phase 1 has been ticket offices at local stations are closed, completed and work on phase 2, which will tickets can be purchased on the train from serve the southeast of the city, is currently mobile ticket machine operators. Turn to under way. “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” at the end of the chapter to see where you can access timetables and real-time information on services.

162 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 163 -RIDE -AND SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART CHANGING CHANGING BEHAVIOUR FLEXIBLE WORKING PROGRAMME of introduction working a flexible The (FWP) has been identified programme to influence as one of measures the key behaviour and employees’ travel in Cape working practices traditional of demand as part the travel Town management (TDM) work. PARK and private of integration public, The seen an has non-motorised transport facilities. in park-and-ride increase located parking facilities are These can travellers so that close to PTIs cars and complete their private leave of the rest their journey on public upgraded Many have been transport. appealing these facilities more to make to commuters. 68 park-and- approximately are There By Town. Cape ride facilities around driving your car to your closest park- onto a and-ride and then transferring you bus to your destination, or train congestion and decrease will help ease be will also You carbon emissions. or able to enjoy personal time to read drives you to while someone else relax your destination. The minibus-taxi industry is a key is a key minibus-taxi industry The system in ofpart the public transport of network with a large Town, Cape to use easy Minibus taxis are routes. accessed are They and affordable. public transport designated from and minibus-taxi (PTIs) interchanges the kerbside. or hailed from ranks, of and offloading passengers Loading instead place along the route takes vary Fares of stops. designated at and depending on distance travelled, in cash only. paid for on board are closely with City not only works The but is also the minibus-taxi industry, the In 2014, for PTIs. responsible rank and minibus-taxi “green” first Wallacedene. opened in interchange facility uses sustainable building The solar rooftop including principles, harvesting and water rainwater panels, recycling. MINIBUS TAXIS The Golden Arrow bus service serves the service serves bus Arrow Golden The Town of Cape area metropolitan entire than 200 carrying more depots, six from Clip working day. 000 passengers each gold cards Arrow Golden and cards is currently (the latter needed for travel out) can be purchased being rolled can tickets but individual kiosks, from See boarding. also be bought when AND RESOURCES” for a “CONTACTS website to help Arrow link to the Golden you plan your trip. GOLDEN ARROW GOLDEN Check The flexible working options CARPOOLING identified for possible implementation by employers Carpooling is a ride-share or lift-club in Cape Town are flexi-time, a system that matches commuters’ trip compressed work week and characteristics so that individuals can remote working. travel together in one car. While many commuters already form part of informal • Flexi-time allows employees lift clubs, web-based and app-based to begin and end work technology now means carpooling can be outside the peak periods, formalised and expanded. within limits set by management. Carpooling is a good option for people who work in places with a high density • With a compressed work of jobs (such as a central business week, employees are allowed district), those who live in high-density to work their weekly hours residential areas, or in areas with poor in fewer than five days a public transport. If you’re interested, do week, subject to service and an internet search for carpooling schemes operational needs. in your area.

• With remote working, employees may work from a CARSHARING AND satellite office, or from home, subject to management E-HAILING SERVICES approval. Globally, there is a growing shift towards carsharing, e-hailing and the use of The City is rolling out its own, organisation- metered taxis as people move away from wide FWP. The overall aim is to enable the high cost and big responsibility of employees to travel outside the peak owning their own cars. Carsharing has period, which will reduce congestion and been done informally in households for travel times, as well as the overall vehicle quite some time. Now, however, more kilometres travelled. formal arrangements are emerging, often Going forward, the City will also be between neighbours and friends, to engaging actively with other large share the maintenance and other costs employers to encourage the wider roll-out associated with having a car. A growing of the FWP. number of companies worldwide also offer this service. Not everyone can walk or ride a bicycle part or all the way. Yet it is important to “reward” and consider those who do, i.e. parking facilities in buildings.

164 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 165 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART SMART DRIVER DRIVER SMART TRAINING Driver runs a Smart City The all of train to its 10 000 programme responsible driving fleet drivers in ways most efficient behaviour and the of their vehicles. operating an on monitored are trainees The how their ongoing basis to show the training, driving has benefited from newly acquired and to reinforce driving habits. responsible a include the training Benefits from in fuel and maintenance reduction costs and carbon insurance expenses, as well as fewer incidents emissions, or accidents. The rise of e-hailing services, in turn, is is in turn, rise ofThe e-hailing services, around the way people get changing lower It helps globe. the cities around as cars collect riders carbon emissions, using geolocation closest to them, the large from Apart technology. similar services, e-hailing international in Cape operate local app-based services African cities. and other South Town Do an internet Why not give it a try? for carsharing and e-hailing search services close to you. WHAT YOU CAN DO AVOID THE SHIFT NEED TO TOWARDS TRAVEL PUBLIC Learn more about innovative concepts and TRANSPORT technology that can dramatically reduce your need to travel: Cape Town has a number of public transport options. Real-time information about some Check Organise your work and domestic of these services is available from the City’s chores so that you do not have Transport Information Centre (TIC), a 24/7 call meetings outside the office or centre and communication hub that provides need to visit the shops every day. accurate details about public transport. The Make full use of technology for TIC provides information about Metrorail, online meetings, videoconferencing MyCiTi and Golden Arrow services, and and online shared documents call centre operators are fluent in isiXhosa, and desktops. English and Afrikaans. See “CONTACTS for the TIC’s number. Check Flexible working is also increasingly AND RESOURCES” being adopted across the world. Alternatively, ask a friend or colleague to In many large corporates and show you the ropes. smaller businesses, it has become common practice, facilitated by rapid advances in digital SHIFT TOWARDS communication. Flexi-time, for instance, allows you to schedule SHARING your working hours to finish and Lift sharing will reduce your fuel start at times that suit daily traffic consumption, help ease traffic congestion patterns, thereby avoiding rush-hour and cut carbon emissions. traffic and using less fuel. Check with your boss and colleagues Although there are websites that connect whether this is something that can people who want to share a ride, it may be accommodated. Alternatively, be easier and more convenient to pool try and work from home or a with colleagues who live nearby. Carpool satellite office for a portion of the or lift-club drivers can recoup petrol costs working day or week, or negotiate a from their fellow passengers, as long as compressed work week by working the costs are split evenly and there is no four instead of five days a week. profit involved.

166 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

167

Don’t accept the lift if the lift Don’t accept your driver or drinking alcohol has been drives badly. back- Always have an emergency fails for lift up plan in case your reason. whatever First ride your commuter route ride your commuter route First sure to make over the weekend you don’t get lost or arrive late. bus with a or join a bike Start of group other cyclists along work. to and from your route Start by using your bicycle for by using your bicycle for Start to the weekends over transport go shopping and visit friends. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check also want to consider might You to children clubs for your forming lift your from get to school separately set up a Alternatively, commuter trip. they that bus so walking bus or bike you, independently from can travel but safely. Check Check With long distances, gale-force gale-force With long distances, motorists, winds and inconsiderate to cycle to work. it is not always easy the number of people Nevertheless, to doing it is on the rise thanks and more cycling routes dedicated accessible bicycle parking facilities. even have showers and Some offices staff to to encourage change rooms cycle to work. Check SHIFT SHIFT TOWARDS CYCLING

Make sure the car is in a the car is in a sure Make condition. roadworthy Agree on the terms, including including on the terms, Agree of payment (reimbursement etc., times, lift costs), petrol club. the lift starting before has a valid the driver sure Make driving licence. Get the details of the where and check the facts driver works, by phoning his/her employer for confirmation. club is an informal lift A not a business – arrangement, don’t try running a taxi service. your family and friends Let know the details of your lift-club arrangements. Agree to meet the person to meet the person Agree in a or wanting a lift offering your home. not at public place,

Check Check Check Check Check Check In addition to the personal savings savings to the personal In addition commuting splitting from achieved the also increase clubs lift costs, freeing capacity of system, the road time otherwise stuck in up more reduces carpooling Moreover, traffic. contributing to a thereby emissions, environment. healthier for no legal requirements are There club if forming a lift it is a voluntary without payment. arrangement and tips for a few hints are Here people either considering joining networking services transport existing or starting and other service providers, club: or joining a new lift Check Check Consider walking or cycling to your Check Slow down, share the road and be next meeting during office hours. considerate towards people who have made the switch to more Check Plan ahead and leave a selection of sustainable modes of transport. personal items and one or two sets of clean clothing at work. Check Support courier companies that use bicycles. Check Shower before you leave home, ride slowly, and you will not need Be a smart driver. The way we get around, to shower again at your destination. if not walking or cycling, has a significant Cool down and dry yourself with a impact on the environment. If public towel or damp cloth, freshen up, and transport does not meet your needs, no one will know the difference. at least decrease your environmental impact by becoming a smart driver. Check Lobby your office, nearest railway or bus station, shopping centre or Smart driving entails operating your building manager to provide bicycle vehicle efficiently, in a way that increases lock-up facilities, bicycle parking, its performance and safety, while reducing and a shower in the building. running costs and environmental impacts.

The guidelines opposite will help you become a smart driver. For more information, consult the City’s 2018 publications Your Guide to Smart Travel and Smart Driver Training Manual (get the link under “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”).

168 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 169 IMPACT -IMPACT Try to plan for the traffic flow. flow. plan for the traffic to Try to avoid or later earlier Leave Do not unnecessarily congestion. burn fossil fuels looking for the parking bay closest to your little that walk Rather destination. and you, look around bit extra, in a city we live that appreciate is the envy ofthat many. When accelerating, change gears change gears When accelerating, as higher as possible, as early consume less fuel. ratios gear Avoid speeding and drive and drive speeding Avoid your speed Increasing smoothly. 120 km/h can 100 km/h to from your fuel consumption increase most fuel-efficient The by 20%. km/h. driving speed is 80 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

BUY A A LOW BUY VEHICLE for a new car, If market in the you are choose a small vehicle with low fuel low carbon emissions, consumption, is made one that and preferably of locally with a high percentage materials. recyclable is not the be-all and efficiency Fuel a big car could be Remember, end-all. but still have for its size, fuel-efficient In terms fuel consumption. high overall all new cars sold of new legislation, Africa must display their fuel in South on consumption and emissions figures on the windscreen. a placard Check Check Check

2 emissions by up to 5%. emissions. Tyre pressure pressure Tyre emissions. 2 2 Service your car regularly. Service your car regularly. more cars are Well-maintained reduce which helps efficient, CO emissions by up to 10%. It Use air conditioning sparingly. fuel consumption and increases CO Reduce idling and turn off your idling and turn off your Reduce if engine car’s stopping for Idling is than 60 seconds. more wasteful and does not benefit perhaps in except your car, Only five minutes cold. extreme of idling can emit half a kilo of gas into the greenhouse than more anything In fact, air. 10 seconds of idling generates global-warming pollution more than stopping and restarting. should be checked monthly, as as monthly, should be checked can increase tyres underinflated fuel consumption by up to 40%. unnecessary weight Remove heavier The your vehicle. from the engine the harder the car, fuel and the more has to work, it consumes. higher Close your windows at roof empty speeds and remove wind will reduce This racks. your and can lower resistance fuel consumption and CO

If but to use your you have no choice its ways to reduce some are here car, impact on the environment: Check DRIVE EFFICIENTLY DRIVE Check Check Check Check While hybrid and electric vehicles are Check Speeding uses more fuel. Use cruise ideal, they are more expensive. However, control whenever possible. it is encouraging to note that they are now Check Tinted glass helps the car stay locally available, and are significantly more cooler, and you won’t have to use energy-efficient than petrol and diesel your air conditioner as much. vehicles. One reason for their efficiency is their regenerative braking systems, which Check Light-coloured cars are cooler than collect much of the energy from braking their dark-coloured equivalents. into batteries instead of wasting it as heat in brake pads. Electric vehicles are quiet, Check Light-coloured seat covers make the require little maintenance and produce no inside of your car cooler. emissions while driving. They do require energy, though, and if the energy comes from the electricity grid, this would be SMALL CHANGES coal-based. Ideally, therefore, electric vehicles should be charged using solar ADD UP panels, which can also be costly to install. Even if you feel you cannot make any of the changes above, commit to making a So, while saving up for your hybrid small change, perhaps once a week or or electric car, have a look at these once a month. Try different options to see sustainable solutions in the interim: what suits you. Make conscious decisions Check Compare several vehicles and about how you travel. See what changes choose the car with the best you can make with the change of season, “kilometre per litre” range in its moving home, a change in job or in your particular category. family circumstances.

Check Manual gear transmission cars weigh less and are more efficient (and cheaper) than automatic cars.

170 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 171 www.capetown.gov.za and and www.capetown.gov.za Travel for: Smart search 0800 65 64 63 www.capetown.gov.za and and www.capetown.gov.za Driving for: Smart search www.myciti.org.za, for for www.myciti.org.za, on destinations, information and access and timetables, fares to a handy online trip planner calculator and fare www.metrorail.co.za, for more for more www.metrorail.co.za, on using the train information service for www.gometroapp.com, about train information real-time including delays services, www.gabs.co.za, for detailed for detailed www.gabs.co.za, (look trip-planning information under “Timetables & Routes”) AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART A 2018 City publication with with 2018 City publication A on and guidelines information travelling how to adopt smart habits The City’s 24/7 call centre 24/7 call centre City’s The hub that and communication public transport provides Afrikaans in isiXhosa, information and English This 2019 updated training training 2019 updated This on manual gives information driver becoming a smart The City’s cashless bus rapid cashless bus rapid City’s The system transit Rail service provider Rail DESCRIPTION entire Bus service serving the metro Cape Your Guide to Smart Travel Guide to Smart Your Transport Information Centre Centre Information Transport (TIC) Smart Driver Training Manual Training Driver Smart MyCiTi Metrorail CONTACT/RESOURCE bus service Arrow Golden CONTACTS AND AND CONTACTS RESOURCES ENERGY

Like many cities globally, Cape Town faces has initiated an active shift from business- energy challenges such as a significant as-usual to a more resilient, resource- carbon footprint due to South Africa’s efficient and equitable energy future for electricity sources, constrained energy all Capetonians. This chapter provides key supply, rapid urbanisation, increased facts and useful tips on how you could informality and associated energy join the City in becoming more efficient, poverty, and vulnerability to the impacts safe and carbon-savvy in using energy. of climate change. This is why the City

172 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 173 0,3 TWy/y 3-4 TWy/y 830 TWy/y illustrates illustrates WORLD ENERGY USE 2015 Use 18.5 TWy/y RENEWABLES Solar Wind Waves Hydro 23,000 TWy/y Biomass 75-130 TWy/y Geothermal 0.2-3++TWy/y 0.2-3 TWy/y Tidal 2-6 TWy/y FINITE Coal Natural Gas Petroleum 220 TWy/y Uranium 185++TWy/y 335 TWy/y 1 Source: Mard perez & Richard Perez & Richard perez Mard Source: A Fundamental Look at the Supply Reserves for the Planet; Side Energy Project Energy The Freeing Rendered: Use Total Annual Total World Energy World SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART estimated finite and renewable renewable finite and estimated for 2015 reserves planetary energy for figures The (terawatt-years). total represent resources the finite those for reserves; recoverable potential. denote yearly renewables “Renewable energy” refers to an to an refers energy” “Renewable is not depleted that source energy hydro solar, as wind, such when used, fuels Fossil and geothermal energy. on the other such as oil and coal, “non-renewable considered are hand, as they have a finite sources, energy” millions of to and take years reserve be produced. below diagram The GEOTHERMAL TIDAL SOLAR WAVES Renewable BIOMASS WIND HYDRO COAL URANIUM Finite PETROLEUM NATURAL GAS www.freeingenergy.com/the-earth-gets-more-solar-energy-in-one-hour-than-the-entire-world-uses-in-a-year/

1 ENERGY ENERGY SOURCES receives Most of the Earth the energy is called solar This the sun. comes from and drives many processes energy sea such as the wind, on our planet, photosynthesis and the currents, many are there However, cycle. water of we can use, other sources energy and the such as geothermal energy and the moon pull from gravitational and water sea which affects the sun, tides. creates INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION ENERGY TO “Sustainability” means to be able to meet In South Africa, electricity is supplied at our needs today, without compromising 220/230 volts AC (alternating current) at future generations’ ability to meet theirs. 50 Hz (hertz), which means that the current Therefore, to use energy more sustainably, changes direction 50 times per second. we need to meet our energy needs more The base unit of electric current is the responsibly (energy efficiency), use energy ampere, or amp for short. wisely (energy conservation), address To understand amps, volts and watts, it everyone’s energy needs equitably (energy helps to think of electricity as water flowing access) and use energy sources that do through a pipe. Amps would be the volume not harm people and the environment, of water flowing through the pipe (the but can be replenished to ensure a current), while the water pressure would be sufficient supply for future generations the volts (force). Watts would be the power (renewable energy). that water could provide based on the current and force (volts x amps = watts).

UNDER­ Once you know these terms and calculations, you can do an energy audit at STAND­ING home to establish which of your appliances ENERGY use the most power, and how you can reduce your electricity costs. After all, if “Energy” is the capacity to do work and is you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it! measured in units called joules (J). “Power” is the rate at which energy is used, which is measured in watts (W). One watt is ENERGY AND equal to the energy consumed at a rate of one joule per second. A kilowatt equals CLIMATE one thousand watts, and a megawatt equals one million watts. CHANGE Most climate scientists agree that An appliance’s power use is expressed human activity is driving climate change, in watts, for example, a 5 W LED lamp. To mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels, understand the total amount of energy deforestation and, increasingly, intensive used, we need to consider how long an agriculture. The atmospheric heat radiating appliance is used for, i.e. the amount from the Earth towards space is trapped of energy used in kilowatt-hours (kWh). by increased levels of greenhouse gases, For example, if a 5 W LED lamp is left resulting in the greenhouse effect, global on for two days (48 hours), it will use warming and climate change. 5 W x 48 hours = 240 Wh = 0,24 kWh (divide watts by 1 000 to get kilowatts). Similarly, a 1 kW heater used for half an hour also uses 0,5 kWh.

174 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 175 Earth’s crust Earth’s Greenhouse gases Greenhouse outgoing help trap radiation Outgoing longwave radiation SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART The consequences of The this change in the occurring atmospheric naturally Earth’s to predict. difficult are greenhouse we is what All we know for certain globally. experiencing already are is becoming the Earth On average, to conditions lead Warmer warmer. and precipitation evaporation more will but individual regions overall, and becoming wetter with some vary, others drier. 30% reflected ); 2 The remaining 20% powers the water cycle, winds and currents, etc. winds and currents, cycle, 20% powers the water remaining The Earth’s atmosphere Earth’s O); and O); 2 2 100% incoming radiation shortwave ); 4 50% reaches 50% reaches surface , include: , 2 water vapour (H water nitrous oxide (N oxide nitrous chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). chlorofluorocarbons methane (CH carbon dioxide (CO carbon dioxide by Sarah Ward, 2008. Ward, Book by Sarah New Energy The

Check 2 The primary gases that contribute to to contribute primary gases that The in the illustrated effect, the greenhouse above figure THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT GREENHOUSE THE Check Check Check Check A stronger greenhouse effect is warming Check Damage to infrastructure and the oceans and melting glaciers and communities due to severe storms land ice, leading to rising sea levels. and strong winds Ocean water expands as it warms, which Check Increased risk of fire, affecting both further pushes up sea levels. Some crops the natural environment and urban and other plants respond favourably to areas increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and using water more efficiently. Check Decreased food security because Shifting climate patterns change the areas of the effect of climate change on where crops grow best and affect the agriculture makeup of natural plant communities. We need to explore more renewable In Cape Town, the following climatic energy options to reduce both our reliance changes are likely to occur; in fact, some on coal and the major impact it has on are occurring already: accelerating climate change.

Check A decrease in annual average rainfall

Check Changed seasonality of rainfall RENEWABLE Check An increase in mean annual ENERGY average, maximum and minimum temperatures SOURCES As mentioned earlier, renewable energy Check An increase in the number of very is an energy source that is not depleted hot days, and in the frequency and when used, such as wind, solar, hydro and intensity of heat waves geothermal energy. Renewable energy Check An increase in both average and should not be confused with “clean maximum wind strength energy”, which is energy that does not produce greenhouse gases and, thus, does Check Sea-level rise not contribute to climate change. Nuclear power, for instance, is seen as clean Cape Town is also at risk of the following energy, but is not renewable. climate change impacts:

Most of the costs associated with Check Drought and associated water renewable-energy installations are incurred shortages in the initial set-up. This is different from Check Flooding and the associated impact non-renewable technologies such as on communities and infrastructure coal and nuclear power. Non-renewable power plants imply ongoing fuel expenses Check Heat stress and its associated and hefty costs at the end of the plant’s health impact lifecycle, such as the decommissioning of the plant and safe storage of Check Coastal erosion and its effect on nuclear waste. coastal infrastructure

176 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 177 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Renewable energy systems, such as such as systems, energy Renewable installed panels, solar PV rooftop most of uses that the on a property embedded itself energy (i.e. generated as known are in the electrical network) generation” “small-scale embedded systems. in the farm solar PV Jasper The has 325 360 solar Cape Northern to generate panels working together Jasper into the grid. electricity and feed of 96 MW has the potential to create which is enough to provide electricity, They for 80 000 households. energy agreement have a power purchase for 20 years. in place with Eskom (PPA) of hundreds employed project The and people during construction, 50 permanent employees now maintain the plant. SOLAR WATER HEATING SOLAR WATER uses the energy heating Solar water and can be water the sun to heat from existing or completely replace, to, linked solar collector The household geysers. needs to be placed on top of the roof to while the sun, from maximum heat catch container can either storage the water be on or inside the roof. systems can include heating Solar water up the heats element that a backup if is not enough sunshine to water there elements backup These the water. heat it is to a timer so that should be linked only switched on when needed. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) PANELS have semi-conducting panels Solar PV when energy produce that materials initially were They to the sun. exposed invented in 1954 and work by allowing to knock of or particles light, photons, which atoms, from free electrons a flow ofgenerates electricity. various types of panels are PV There and materials, different made from the technology continues to improve, and cost- versatile making it more can be installed in Solar PV effective. on rooftops, solar farms, large-scale and on installations ground-mounted solar”). bodies (“floating water SOLAR POWER light and radiant Solar energy is is harnessed the sun that from heat ofusing a range ever-evolving include solar These technologies. thermal heating, photovoltaics, solar molten- architecture, energy, solar salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis. What we need is to combine renewable renewable need is to combine we What less consistent supply from energy and such as wind sources, (variable) sources, consistent with more solar, along gas, natural such as biogas and such as batteries systems, with storage good balance A or pumped storage. and sources of energy renewable help us meet our energy will storage requirements. CONCENTRATED The Darling wind farm was the first SOLAR POWER AND commercial wind farm in South Africa MOLTEN-SALT STORAGE (2008), delivering a maximum output of 5,2 MW from four 1,3 MW turbines. The Concentrated solar power systems City of Cape Town signed a PPA with generate solar power by using mirrors the developer, which helped make the or lenses to concentrate a large area of project feasible. sunlight, or solar thermal energy, onto a More recently, large wind farms were built small area. The mirrors track the sun and just north of Vredenburg (47 turbines direct it to a receiver. with an installed capacity of 94 MW), A ground-breaking project harnessing Jeffreys Bay (60 turbines with an installed concentrated solar power along with capacity of 138 MW) and outside Gouda molten-salt energy storage is the 100 MW (46 turbines with an installed capacity of Redstone solar thermal power project 138 MW). According to the South African in the Northern Cape. Liquid salt from Wind Energy Association, as of March a “cold” salt tank (at 288 °C) is pumped 2019, the country had 22 wind energy up a tower and through the solar power developments with a total installed receiver, where it is heated to 566 °C. capacity of 2 078 MW and more than The heated salt travels back down the 900 wind turbines spread out over three tower and is stored in a “hot” salt tank. provinces. The hot salt is pumped through a steam generator, which drives a steam turbine that generates electricity. HYDROPOWER

With 1 200 megawatt-hours of energy AND PUMPED- storage, Redstone will deliver clean energy STORAGE SCHEMES to the equivalent of more than 200 000 Hydroelectricity is electricity produced South African homes each year. This from the flow of water. In a hydroelectric non-intermittent power will feed into Eskom’s scheme, water is stored in a dam and electricity grid even well after the sun has set. passed through a turbine and generator set, before being released back into the WIND POWER river downstream. The power station does not consume any water in this process; it Wind power is the use of air flow through only uses the energy contained in running wind turbines to mechanically power water to turn its turbines. generators for electric power. The installation of wind farms is becoming more and more common in South Africa.

178 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 179

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART BIOBUTANOL Biobutanol is an isobutanol derived just like algae or bacteria, from of the fermentation or from biodiesel, fuel can This ethanol. like biomasses, gasoline used in standard be directly Due without any modifications. engines, biobutanol to its high octane levels, any loss in fuel mileage. reduces ETHANOL renewable a flammable and Ethanol is by the fermentation liquid produced advanced technology or from of grain, woodchips waste, such as agricultural It is combined with and paper waste. and octane gasoline for increasing emissions. carbon monoxide reducing which is vehicles run on E85, Certain with a high ethanol fuel an alternative approximately releases Ethanol content. emissions gas 15% less greenhouse than gasoline when burnt. BIODIESEL a through Biodiesel is produced ofcombination alcohol and recycled or vegetable animal fat cooking grease, It is a highly combustible liquid oil. with when mixed burns readily that During diesel fuel. petroleum-based glycerine ofthe production biodiesel, which is as a by-product, is produced Biodiesel can also highly combustible. for alternative be used as a renewable diesel engines. BIOFUELS renewable from Biofuel is fuel produced commonly used biomass material, fuel source cleaner as an alternative, are Biofuels to burning fossil fuels. not so they do not carbon-intensive, It is even global warming. affect directly can biofuel formulations suggested that logging waste such as materials remove the waste stream. and cooking oil from Geothermal energy is thermal energy energy is thermal Geothermal energy in the Earth. and stored generated of reservoirs underground These can be tapped to and hot water steam and cool electricity or heat generate buildings directly. GEOTHERMAL GEOTHERMAL POWER The Steenbras hydroelectric pumped- hydroelectric Steenbras The commissioned scheme was storage of an installed capacity in 1979 with scheme the Palmiet while 180 MW, in 1988 with a was commissioned its from Apart capacity of 400 MW. also Steenbras economic benefits, City’s security to the lends increased thermal power Unlike electricity supply: pumped-storage hydroelectric stations, up to full be activated can installations ofload within a matter minutes. OTHER ENERGY SOURCES

As the following figure shows3, most of the energy in South Africa comes from fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – which has become the most critical resource on the planet.

C S A’ T ,

N , N ,

D , 237 006 S , C - , W ,

O ,

Exclude municipalities and enterprises that distribute liquefi ed petroleum gas (LPG) Source: Electricity, gas and water supply industry, 2016 (Table 11)

THE SOUTH AFRICA I KNOW, THE HOME I UNDERSTAND

The oil supplies on which the world Similarly, coal is formed by ancient forests economy depends are tens of millions of buried underground. Strictly speaking, years old, originating in ancient seas that fossil fuel is energy from the sun – solar teemed with microscopic plant and animal energy – stored in ancient plant and life. As these creatures died and their animal matter. Therefore, fossil fuels can bodies fell to the ocean floor, they formed be thought of as “ancient sunlight”. a rich organic mud. Over millions of years, these layers were compressed by sediment above them, slowly changing them into the complex mix of hydrogen and carbon compounds that we know as oil.

3 www.statssa.gov.za/?p=11292

180 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 181 liquid petroleum gas (LPG). liquid petroleum paraffin; and paraffin; petrol and diesel; petrol SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Coal and oil reserves are limited limited are and oil reserves Coal energy non-renewable are and they to estimated are Oil reserves sources. to 50 years, as 40 run out in as little long before that and analysts predict will become increasingly it oil runs out, extremely therefore, inaccessible and, the need for a Therefore, expensive. to oil is growing sustainable alternative by the day. urgent more Check Check AND NATURAL GAS WASTE occurring gas is a naturally Natural primarily that gas mixture hydrocarbon it also However, consists of methane. commonly includes varying amounts (hydrogen higher alkanes of other, in a tree arranged and carbon atoms in which all carbon-carbon structure a sometimes, single) and, bonds are ofsmall percentage carbon dioxide, sulphide or helium. hydrogen nitrogen, LIQUID FUELS LIQUID FUELS or energy- combustible Liquid fuels are can be molecules that generating mechanical energy. harnessed to create it is the fumes of liquid Interestingly, the and not flammable, are fuels that fluid itself. Some of most common liquid fuels the include: Check per person each per person each 2 4 into the atmosphere when when into the atmosphere 2 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/en.atm.co2e.pc

4 Our economy largely depends on on depends Our economy largely various which we use to produce oil, plastic, fuels, such as transport goods, beauty medicine, fertiliser, food, and building products products, almost any In fact, automotive products. industry you can think of on oil relies for something. oil Africa has no natural South Yet, we need that means This resources. other from to buy this critical resource All the money we spend on countries. flows out of our country. therefore, oil, Sasol has developed and implemented coal to oil. converts technology that this technology is expensive However, and the process to build and operate, significant amounts of produces gases. greenhouse CRUDE OIL CRUDE OIL Burning fossil fuels releases harmful harmful releases Burning fossil fuels cause These gases into the atmosphere. to respiratory can lead air pollution, and also and other diseases, disorders the biggest However, rain. acid create of greenhouse concern is the creation contribute to which directly gases, change. climate South Africa’s energy is predominantly is predominantly energy Africa’s South African coal is South coal. derived from amounts large and releases low-grade of CO COAL burnt. The country produces some some produces country The burnt. nine tonnes of CO year, which is almost double the global double the global which is almost year, ofaverage five. LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) VS NATURAL GAS

Check Convenience: LPG is Check Efficiency: LPG contains much compressed into a liquid more energy than natural gas. form, and either sold A cubic metre of natural gas in portable canisters or contains 38,3 MJ of energy, delivered via truck to a while a cubic metre of LPG permanent storage tank contains around 90,5 MJ. on the property. Natural Check LPG is heavier gas, however, remains in its Properties: than air, while natural gas gaseous state and is delivered is lighter. to the home via a pipeline or canister.

We use natural gas as a fuel and to NUCLEAR POWER make materials and chemicals. Some of the most common natural gas types Around 5% of our nation’s electricity are compressed natural gas (CNG) and comes from Koeberg near Cape Town, liquefied natural gas (LNG). South Africa’s only nuclear power plant. Some people argue that because nuclear The methane produced on landfills (waste) does not create greenhouse gases, it could and at sewerage plants (wastewater) – so- be considered clean energy. However, called “waste gas” – is another potential there are concerns about the dangers of source of energy for a city (as discussed nuclear waste, the high costs and lead under the section on waste). times for nuclear plant development, the lack of transparency, and the threat WOOD/BIOMASS of accidents. Even low-level nuclear waste remains Wood is used in some households for dangerously toxic for thousands of cooking, heating and other activities, such years, while high-level nuclear waste as braais and brewing beer. Most of the could remain radioactive for more than wood is harvested from alien vegetation 100 000 years. Koeberg’s low-level waste is stands close to informal homes. Wood currently buried underground at Vaalputs can be considered renewable if obtained in Namaqualand. The high-level waste from a sustainable source in which trees remains stored at the Koeberg plant. are replanted.

182 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 183 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART The burning ofThe fossil fuels contributes which seriously affects to air pollution, Low- and the environment. our health risk at more income households are than others because of exposure their fuels and low-quality stoves, to draughty and wood Coal ventilation. inadequate used for indoor cooking and heating while children pollute the air indoors, walking to school or cycling along busy by car fumes. affected are roads Approximately 20 million litres 20 million litres Approximately of and thousands of water litres for of required are chemicals chemicals The per well. one frack benign to highly from can range some of known which are toxic, to cause cancer. water- being from apart Moreover, such unconventional intensive, can contaminate gas production sources, surface and groundwater human them unfit for rendering consumption. WHAT IS “FRACKING”? WHAT the natural In shale gas mining, the using gas is extracted technique of high-volume, fracturing slick-water horizontal, or fracturing (hydraulic It involves pumping “fracking”). sand and chemicals into water, wells under horizontally drilled the to fracture pressure hydraulic shale layers and underground gas. release Air pollution occurs when substances Air pollution occurs when substances as dust human activities (such from and fumes and smoke roadworks, from industries) and emissions from from or fires activities (such as forest natural volcanoes) end up in the atmosphere composition of and change the natural the air we breathe. ENERGY ENERGY AND AIR POLLUTION BROWN HAZE ACID RAIN

Cape Town’s infamous “brown haze” on Acid rain forms when the sulphur windless days is caused by vehicle exhaust dioxide (SO2) produced from burning gases and other light-absorbing soot coal dissolves in water vapour, raising its particles that appear brown when exposed acidity. This not only affects plants and to sunlight. Particularly during the winter animals when it falls back to Earth, but months of May to August, Cape Town also corrodes metal products such as roof tends to experience episodes of poor sheeting and wire fences. In addition, acid visibility associated with brown haze. rain can harm the physical environment by corroding buildings, discolouring fabrics Scientifically, the air pollutants are trapped and killing plants and animals. by temperature inversion, which acts as a lid that constrains vertical air movement.

ENERGY IN OUR CITY ENERGY AND CLIM­ATE PLAN­NING AND MANAGE- MENT IN CAPE TOWN The City has also adopted an Energy The City is known as a South African leader and Climate Action Plan7 (2010) and a in local energy and climate planning Climate Change Policy8 (2017). Associated and action. The municipality was the first institutional changes introduced since then African city to complete a State of Energy include a dedicated Energy and Climate report in 2001 (updated in 2007, 2011, Change Directorate, which was established 20155 and 2020) and to adopt an Energy in 2018. and Climate Change Strategy6 (2006).

5 https://savingelectricity.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CCT-State-of-Energy-report-2015.pdf 6 http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies,%20plans%20and%20 frameworks/Energy_+_Climate_Change_Strategy_2_-_10_2007_301020079335_465.pdf

7 Published as Moving Mountains: http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20 and%20educational%20material/Moving_Mountains_Energy+CC_booklet_2011-11.pdf

8 https://savingelectricity.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/climate_change_policy.pdf

184 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 185 non-motorised transport; developing an electric vehicle developing an electric vehicle and including electric framework buses in our fleet; transport and spatial planning planning spatial and transport with a focus on programmes transit-oriented public transport, development and densification; solar lighting and cellphone solar lighting and cellphone for non-electrifiable charging settlements; energy services to low-income services to low-income energy in line with the policy residents, of 100% electrification; for programme a ceiling retrofit 2005; subsidy homes built before a solar water heater accreditation accreditation heater a solar water programme; and marketing energy efficiency and renewable renewable and efficiency energy own in the municipality’s energy by example leading operations, sustainable and building a more administration; a small-scale embedded a small-scale embedded PV and solar generation programme; Eskom, electricity beyond electricity cleaner promoting supply; an energy, waste and water water waste and an energy, sector; forum for the commercial SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Actions and projects that have formed have formed that projects Actions and and climate energy ofpart the City’s agenda include: Check goal and goal and 9 http://savingelectricity.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2040_energy_vision_cct_brochure.pdf

its associated energy and carbon and carbon energy its associated models Energy2040 targets. reduction resource-efficient resilient, a more Town. for Cape and equitable future to diversifying its It commits the City significantly becoming supply, energy reducing and energy-efficient more City is currently The carbon emissions. and vision the Energy2040 extending and action plan developing a pathway by 2050. to become carbon neutral we hope to speed up our In this way, to the kind of transition city we would work and play in. to live, like however, action, immediate drive To action plans. shorter-term we require 2010 Energy the City’s In this regard, Action Plan has been a and Climate promoting from Apart very useful tool. Town’s Cape reducing action towards a it also provides carbon footprint, towards basis for assessing progress up support and drumming our targets resource- lower-carbon for the City’s projects. efficient and Energy Sustainable updated The a range Action Plan includes Climate across of and new projects current document is an This departments. blueprint” is subject that “evolving This and change. to ongoing review remains Town Cape that will ensure but to achieve its targets, on track also aligns its ambitions with the Agreement. Paris 9 In 2015, the City adopted the the the City adopted In 2015, Energy2040 Town Cape Check transport demand management; and WHERE DOES Check waste management and minimisation. OUR ENERGY

The City’s Energy and Climate Change COME FROM? Directorate has more information on what Paraffin, gas, petrol and diesel are all the City is doing in terms of energy and made from refined oil. The process of climate change. See their web address generating our energy starts with the under at “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” shipping of crude oil from the Middle the end of this chapter. East, some 10 000 km away. It is pumped ashore at Saldanha Bay, 120 km north of Cape Town, and then on to the Caltex CLIMATE refinery in Milnerton, 15 km from the city centre. From the refinery, the various liquid ACTION fuels are distributed to bulk depots and We recognise that cities worldwide smaller distributors. must accelerate their climate change Much of the energy we use is supplied work to satisfy the ambitions of the Paris to us by private companies and retailers, Agreement and prevent catastrophic although National Government regulates climate change. the prices of most of these fuels, including The City has demonstrated its commitment petrol, diesel, paraffin and LPG. to increased climate action by signing up Eskom provides Cape Town with electrical to the C40 Deadline 2020: Climate Action energy through the national grid, most of Planning in Africa, as well as the C40 South which is generated near the coal fields of Africa Buildings Programme. These are Mpumalanga. Significant energy losses an extension of the City’s Energy2040 occur in the transmission process between programmes and commitments, and are in the power station and the end user. Of the line with our Climate Change Policy. electricity consumed in Cape Town, 25% is Another three South African cities – distributed by Eskom and 75% by the City. Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini – have made this commitment. Together, we are working towards one target, namely carbon neutrality for all new buildings by 2030, and city-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. Carbon neutrality will help us create a cleaner, more equitable, resource- efficient, safer and more resilient city. In the process, we become more competitive globally, embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, build more sustainable livelihoods and provide affordable and accessible services to our citizens.

186 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 187

34% 26% Local government Local BY SECTOR BY CARBON EMISSIONS EMISSIONS CARBON 10% 22% Industrial SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART However, as seen below, the the as seen below, However, sectors and residential commercial emissions account for most carbon consumption in (42%) due to electricity is because our electricity This buildings. coal-derived and is predominantly fuels while transport carbon-heavy, so. less are Residential Residential

Commercial Commercial 64% BY SECTOR BY , City of Cape Town. City of Cape , Energy2040 Town Cape 8% Transport Transport 12% Source: Source: As the following figure shows, transport transport shows, As the following figure consumer in is the biggest energy 62% of (accounting for Town Cape followed by consumption), all energy sector (13%) and the the commercial sector (11%). residential WHERE IS OUR ENERGY USED? OUR ENERGY IS WHERE Cape Town’s energy consumption by sector (left) and carbon emissions by by and carbon emissions consumption by sector (left) energy Town’s Cape sector (right). ENERGY CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION ENERGY 13% The new smart meters (also called FROM POWER “automatic meter readers”) will enable LINE TO HOME even more effective monitoring and efficient electricity use. The City is supplied by the national It is illegal to change the wiring or tamper grid, and distribution to residents and with your electricity meter box. This may businesses occurs either via Eskom or the cause your electricity supply to be cut, City itself, depending on location. There requiring you to pay a reconnection fee to are two electricity payment systems: have it reinstated. Check With the older credit-meter system, end users receive a continuous electricity supply and are billed RESIDENTIAL monthly based on the amount they have used or are estimated to have ELECTRICITY used. TARIFFS Check Prepaid-meter systems require end Cape Town households get their users to buy electricity upfront, electricity either from the City or directly similar to pay-as-you-go cellphones. from Eskom, as indicated on the map on The tariffs now include a set service the following page. Your electricity service charge for this system. provider is specified on your rates account or prepaid receipt.

188 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 189 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART ELECTRICITY LICENSEES & CITY OF OF & CITY LICENSEES ELECTRICITY REGIONS ELECTRICITY TOWN CAPE TARIFFS FOR Your tariff depends on your average consumption over the previous 12 months CITY AND ESKOM at the time of assessment, as well as SUPPLY AREAS10 your municipal property valuation and the type of meter. For example, if your Households in City-supplied and Eskom- house is valued at less than R400 000 supplied areas pay different tariffs for and you are in a City-supplied area, you their electricity. Understanding which will be on a LifeLine tariff if you used tariff you are on and checking that you are less than 450 units per month over the on the most suitable tariff will help you previous 12-month period. As soon as manage your electricity costs. Eskom tariffs your consumption exceeds 450 units increase annually in March, while the City’s per month, you will be moved onto the tariffs increase every July. Domestic tariff.

The following tables11 provide an overview of tariffs based on different household property values and service providers. While some tariffs include a daily service charge, others are slightly higher, yet do not have an additional service charge.

WHO CAN GET FREE BASIC ELECTRICITY?

Free basic electricity (FBE) is FBE is not intended as a reward for targeted at low-income households saving electricity, but as a subsidy and is therefore made available to for low-income households. you if you are on the LifeLine (City) or Homelight 20A (Eskom) tariff and meet certain criteria, including being a small power user.

10 For more on residential tariffs in City and Eskom supply areas, turn to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” at the end of this chapter.

11 The term “unit” in the tables means “kWh”.

190 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 191 This tariff is allocated to properties to properties tariff is allocated This with a R400 000–R1 million, valued at is There meter installed. prepayment but the rate no daily service charge, Home per unit is higher than the City’s which has a monthly service User tariff, charge. if supply, 60A can apply for a You connection fee A available in your area. R6 000 must be paid. of approximately supply allows you access to a 60A A enabling you to higher level of power, time. any given electricity at use more NOTES Households using less than 250 units Households using less than 250 units 50 units FBE per month. receive is a subsidised tariff and households This connection supply do not pay a on a 20A Households can apply to upgrade fee. if available in their area supply, to a 60A (see table below). This is a subsidised tariff that is allocated is allocated subsidised tariff is a that This to the value ofaccording your property. than less is valued at If your property a prepayment R400 000 and you have you qualify for 60 units meter installed, FBE if less than 250 units per you use units if or 25 free you used 250- month, over the average 450 units per month on All houses valued 12 months. previous meters under R400 000 with prepayment LifeLine qualify for the LifeLine tariff. can be applied for if the householder a (e.g. rebate rates qualifies for a social with disabilities, person pensioner, can also apply You etc.). recipient, grant if meets pensioner a tenant who you are indigent criteria. or certain NOTES R0,00 R0,00 SERVICE SERVICE CHARGE R0,00 R0,00 SERVICE SERVICE CHARGE SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART R2,29 R2,79 R1,46 R2,47 R1,29 R1,46 R1,38 R2,79

Block 1 Up to 600 units Block 2 Above 600 units Block 1 Up to 600 units Block 2 Above 600 units TARIFF IN R/UNIT TARIFF Block 2 Block 2 Above 350 units Block 1 Up to 350 units Block 1 Up to 350 units Block 2 Above 350 units TARIFF IN R/UNIT TARIFF income homes -income homes Domestic Homelight 60A TARIFF TARIFF NAME Homelight Homelight 20A LifeLine TARIFF TARIFF NAME value, lower -value, Eskom City Eskom City SUPPLY SUPPLY AREA SUPPLY SUPPLY AREA income homes middle-income homes Middle-value, Lower The below tariffs are applicable for 2019/20. applicable for are below tariffs The High-value, high-income homes

SUPPLY TARIFF TARIFF IN R/UNIT SERVICE NOTES AREA NAME CHARGE

City Home User Block 1 R2,02 R163,32 This applies to properties valued at Up to 600 units per month over R1 million, as well as all homes with credit meters. You can apply to Block 2 R2,79 have a prepaid meter installed, and Above 600 units change to the Domestic tariff, provided your property value is low enough. The unit cost for Home User Block 1 is lower than for Domestic Block 1, as it includes a monthly service charge for both prepaid and credit customers to cover the fixed costs of providing the service.

Eskom HomePower 1 Block 1 R1,54 Per day: HomePower tariffs are assigned HomePower 2 Up to 600 units depending on the size of the HomePower 3 HP1 supply needed for your home. HomePower 4 R6,59 HomePower includes homes, as well Block 2 R2,47 to HP2 as other buildings such as schools Above 600 units R2,52 R12,35 and churches. HP3 R25,51 HP4 R4,03

WHY DO WE PAY A SERVICE CHARGE?

The City Home User and Eskom The charge appears on your HomePower tariffs include a monthly consolidated municipal account. service charge. This is to cover the LifeLine and Homelight tariffs do not costs of keeping you connected to have service charges, as they are the network, irrespective of how subsidised. The Domestic tariff, in much electricity you use. turn, does not have a service charge, as it is already included in the tariff. More specifically, the service charge goes towards maintaining your service connection, paying back the capital invested, covering salaries and wages, as well as any other costs not directly related to the amount of electricity used.

192 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 193

R0,73 VAT) (excl. R/KWH R/KWH IN FEED-IN TARIFF R0,68 VAT) (excl. SSEG users pay SSEG users pay daily service to cover charges and operations maintenance to the grid. There is also a feed-in tariff for surplus electricity that is fed back into SSEG 1 the grid. customers can move to SSEG 2 if they wish. NOTES 1 KWH = 1 UNIT OF ELECTRICITY SSEG systems SSEG systems registered July 2019 after have lower Block 1 energy and feed-in tariffs and a lower service charge. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART R14,21 per day R14,21 per day SERVICE SERVICE CHARGE R248,32 per R248,32 per month (approximately R8,28 per day) The tariff a two- consists of parts: The three a daily consumption charge, tier energy and a feed-in tariff. service charge in the City’s All SSEG systems installed registered must be electricity supply area by the City. with and authorised SCALE SCALE - R1,57 R2,79 R2,02 12

Block 1 Up to 600 units Block 2 600 units After TARIFF IN R/UNIT TARIFF Block 1 Up to 600 units 600 units, (After to the it reverts SSEG 1 Block 2 tariff.) SSEG 1 TARIFF TARIFF NAME SSEG 2 All prices include 15% VAT, except where specifically excluded. Some tariffs have been rounded. been have tariffs Some excluded. specifically where except VAT, 15% include prices All City SUPPLY SUPPLY AREA* City *NB: According to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s regulations, only consumers with SSEG only consumers with SSEG regulations, ofAfrica’s Regulator South Energy to the National According *NB: licence. holding a generation from exempt “for own consumption” are ofinstallations operated up to 1 MW the City than you sell. from energy you must buy more over a 12-month period, implies that, This EMBEDDED GENERATION (SSEG) GENERATION EMBEDDED with SSEG Properties The small-scale embedded generation embedded generation small-scale The for customers (SSEG) tariff charges and use of purchases their energy them for also crediting while the grid, into the grid electricity they feed excess solar PV SSEG systems (e.g. their from installations). TARIFFS FOR SMALL FOR TARIFFS 12 BUYING ELECTRICITY Households using the credit-meter system receive a monthly utility bill via If you have a City prepaid-meter system, e-mail or post for the previous month’s you can buy electricity via your cellphone, consumption. Municipal accounts can be online and at various supermarkets, paid by debit order, online, electronic pharmacies, service stations, major banks funds transfer, at the post office, or at and ATMs across town. You will require selected retail outlets. your meter number, which is on your The best way to purchase electricity is electricity card, on a previous purchase once a month, only as much as you need, receipt or on the meter itself. and only when you need it. Here are The same procedure applies to Eskom some common myths regarding buying customers, although electricity must be electricity that, if you believe them, may purchased from Eskom sale outlets, such end up costing you more: as shops, spazas and taxi ranks in Eskom- supplied areas.

MYTH TRUTH

The amount you pay per kWh varies YOUR PROFILE DETERMINES WHAT YOU PAY depending on your suburb. The City and Eskom have a range of tariffs for residential customers. Your profile (i.e. your age/pensioner status, income, property value and usage) – and not your suburb – determines which one of these tariffs is applied to your meter.

If you want to get the full FBE FBE IS NOT LINKED TO WHEN YOU BUY allowance, buy on the first of the FBE only applies to customers on the City LifeLine and Eskom month, as the number of units you HomeLight tariffs. Free units are granted on your first purchase of get drops as you go deeper into the every calendar month, irrespective of when that is. If you use less than month. 250 units per month on average over a 12-month period, you will get 60 units FBE on the LifeLine tariff, and 50 units on the HomeLight tariff. If you use between 250 and 450 units per month on average over a 12-month period, you will get 25 units on the LifeLine tariff.

The rate per unit increases as the IT IS NOT CHEAPER TO BUY ON THE FIRST OF month goes on, so buy on the first of the month. THE MONTH The City and Eskom have inclining block tariffs (see box on opposite page). You only pay more per unit if you cross the threshold in the course of a month. The trick is to ensure that you are on the correct tariff for the level of power you consume.

Units are cheaper in bulk, so buy as BUYING IN BULK IS NOT CHEAPER, SO ONLY BUY many as you can in one go. WHAT YOU NEED You should only buy what you need for each month. If you buy in bulk, this could bump you into the second block, which is more expensive. So, buying in bulk can end up costing you significantly more money.

Make multiple small power purchases MAKING MULTIPLE SMALL PURCHASES DOES NOT during the month so that you stay within the cheapest block rate with SAVE YOU MONEY each purchase. Your purchases are averaged over the month, so whether you buy in small amounts or purchase what you need in one go, it makes no difference (as long as you stay below the Block 1 threshold). While it is fine to buy small amounts, it is not essential.

194 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

195 Make sure that your vehicle your vehicle that sure Make as always has fuel in the tank, cannot stations most petrol pump fuel during power outages. Charge your cellphone, laptop laptop your cellphone, Charge and tablet when power is you can available so that with friends and communicate family during load-shedding. The step from Block 1 to Block 2 Block 1 to Block 2 from step The of the tariff is applied taking all month into for that the purchases not individual purchases. account, applied per calendar are blocks The for if, that means This month: 500 units on the you buy example, first of Home every month on the these will User or Domestic tariffs, the lower Block 1 rate. all be at SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Here are some useful tips to be some useful tips to be are Here for load-shedding: prepared Check DAY OR THE SEASON OR DAY time of to the do not vary according the day or year. tariffs Residential THE PRICE IS THE SAME, NO MATTER THE TIME OF TIME OF THE NO MATTER THE SAME, IS THE PRICE TRUTH SHEDDING WHAT IS A BLOCK (OR STEP) TARIFF? (OR STEP) BLOCK A IS WHAT residential and Eskom’s City The into block or divided are tariffs block has a and each step tariffs, along increases that rate specific low-income For with consumption. extends the first block households, which the after up to 350 units, tariff increases. middle and high-income For the first block goes households, followed by a up to 600 units, tariff increase. MYTH per unit of more pay electricity You or during used in the winter months hours. the evening peak - LOAD have meant power shortages Periodic an Africans experience South that interruption in electricity supply from load time to time to avoid excessive practice This plant. on the generating has become known as “load-shedding”. When load-shedding is announced, switch off and unplug all electronics When power is and appliances. back with supply may come restored, a power surge), in voltage (i.e. a spike etc. TVs, which can damage computers, Check Keep some cash on you, as ATMs cannot operate without electricity. AIR QUALITY Check Backup batteries for gates, garage MANAGE­MENT doors and security systems should The City’s Health Department (more be kept in a good working condition specifically, the Specialised Environmental and be able to last through periods Health Services: Air Quality Management of load-shedding. Division) works to protect the air we Check Store battery-powered torches, gas breathe through implementing the National lamps and candles where you can Environmental Management: Air Quality Act easily find them in the dark. and the City’s own Air Quality Management By-law (2016). The by-law prescribes a Check If you do not have a gas stove, permitting process to regulate emissions prepare meals before the power is from fuel-burning equipment, such as scheduled to be off. Boil a kettle of industrial boilers and other combustion water and keep it in a thermos flask installations, as well as controlled burns of for hot drinks. You can also use an vegetation. Diesel vehicle emissions, dust insulating cover on teapots, pots emissions from wind and other activities, and pans to keep drinks and meals air pollution and the illegal burning of warm. Keep adequate supplies of waste are also regulated. essential foodstuffs. Here are a few things you can do to help Check Keep refrigerator and freezer doors reduce air pollution: closed. A four-hour power outage should not cause food spoilage, Check Avoid the use of wood fires, paraffin and a freezer should keep frozen stoves, heaters and candles where food safe for at least a day. It is also possible, as this releases harmful a good idea to have alternative emissions. Attention must also be snacks available that do not need placed on safe use and storage to refrigeration. Most medication mitigate fire hazards. requiring refrigeration can be kept Check Limit the use of private motor in a closed fridge for several hours vehicles where possible, in favour without spoiling, but check with your of public transport, bicycles, walking doctor or pharmacist if in doubt.13 and carpool arrangements.

Check Compost your organic waste to reduce your contribution to greenhouse gas (methane) emissions. (See the section on biodiversity under “Environment” for handy composting tips.)

13 Load-shedding schedule and map: http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/ Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Load_Shedding_All_Areas_Schedule_and_Map.pdf

196 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 197

Clear your chimney when making your chimney when making Clear good and always ensure a fire, as indoor of air, ventilation fresh contribute to poor indoor fires air quality. During winter, use dry wood or dry wood or use During winter, to in your fireplace anthracite smoke. less create We all love a good braai. all love a good braai. We smoke to keep Choose dry wood emissions to a minimum. Recycle. By sending recyclable sending recyclable By Recycle. into the production items back the amount of you reduce chain, waste going to landfill. unwanted Do not burn refuse, or any other materials, furniture fumes. as this emits toxic SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check Check

Limit airborne sand and dust sand and dust Limit airborne ground by planting particles over bushes and trees covers, sandy patches. and friendly Use environmentally and thinners, low-odour paints organic which emit less volatile compounds (VOCs). your keep When using gas, fresh circulate windows open to your home. air through of the formation mould, Prevent into the spores which releases your kitchen and by keeping air, well ventilated. Mould bathroom known triggers are and spores for asthma. The City’s Air Quality Management Unit can provide further advice on how to advice on how to further Air Quality Management Unit can provide City’s The Get their contact details under “CONTACTS air pollution. and prevent reduce the end ofAND RESOURCES” at this chapter.

Check Check Check Check ENERGY IN YOUR HOME

Energy is a big expense for many of Cape While high-income households make up Town’s low-income households, taking up only 26% of the residential sector, they as much as 15–25% of household income. account for 46% of the sector’s energy Therefore, although most low-income consumption. Low-income households, households are connected to an electricity in turn, represent 47% of the residential supply (only 2% currently lack access to sector, but account for only 24% of electricity) and receive substantial tariff energy consumption (see graph14 below). subsidies, the cost factor means that Therefore, while the focus for high-income many still do not use enough electricity to homes is on energy efficiency and energy escape energy poverty. Energy burdens conservation, for low-income users it is on that poor Capetonians continue to suffer using sufficient electricity to move away include shack fires, poor household air from the burdens of energy poverty. quality, time spent collecting firewood, as well as paraffin poisoning.

NE OF OEO IN CAPE TOWN RESIDENTIAL SECTOR

ENEY CONPTION IN CAPE TOWN RESIDENTIAL SECTOR

The graph15 opposite indicates the energy is spent on heating water, while difference in energy consumption between cooking also accounts for a significant mid/high and low-income households. In proportion of energy consumption in low- most households across the board, most income households.

14 and 15 Cape Town Energy2040.

198 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 199

ITIN

8

EATIN PACE PACE

9 OTE

11 EFIEATION

LOW INCOME LOW

11 COOIN 29

WATE EATIN WATE SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART HOUSEHOLD ENERGY CONSUMPTION HOUSEHOLD ENERGY HEATING HEATING WATER in the home usually heating Water of accounts for the biggest portion and is the use, household energy biggest contributor to your electricity efficient Switching to a more bill. will help you system heating water save money. 32

ITIN

4

EATIN PACE PACE

9 COOIN

14 OTE W C O

17 EFIEATION MIDHIGH INCOME 17

WATE EATIN WATE HOUSEHOLD ENERGY CONSUMPTION HOUSEHOLD ENERGY Knowing how much energy your your Knowing how much energy for – will household uses – and what you can help you prioritise where Reducing energy-efficient. be more your electricity use will help you save cut carbon pollution, reduce money, the City’s emissions and support and low-carbon sustainable energy development goals. the amount ofOf your energy course, home uses will depend on how many or whether people live in the house, the not you have an electric geyser, number and type of appliances you energy and whether you use other use, such as gas or paraffin. as well, sources simply by changing Nevertheless, your actions without spending a lot your household can save of money, 20–30% in electricity costs. 39 The table below provides an overview of the various water heating methods to help you choose:

LOW- HIGH- GAS INLINE ELECTRIC PARAFFIN PRESSURE PRESSURE WATER GEYSER FLAME STOVE SOLAR WATER SOLAR WATER HEATER HEATER HEATER WITH WITHOUT ELECTRIC ELECTRIC BACKUP BACKUP

CLEAN/ 100% clean and Solar portion is Efficient energy Clean energy Dirty emissions RENEWABLE renewable. renewable. source, but not for household, for the renewable. but there are household; emissions at the non-renewable. power station; non-renewable.

AFFORDABLE/ Can be Significant Need access to Expensive to Low-cost ACCESSIBLE inconvenient. upfront gas supply to fill run. If fitted with investment, but No running investment; cylinders. Costs timers, they expensive to costs, low better if it can may not be would have run. upfront costs. be paid off over competitive with less impact on several years. solar alternatives, electricity peak and subject demand. to fluctuations of the gas distribution market.

HEALTH AND Very safe. Safe. Safe, if handled Safe. Can cause fires SAFETY with care. and burns, and paraffin can cause poisoning.

SOLAR WATER Check The solar collector absorbs the sun’s energy and transfers it in the form of HEATERS heat to the fluid inside the system.

Solar water heaters use the heat from the Check The transfer fluid is the heat transfer sun to warm up water in panels installed medium. In indirect solar water on your roof for all your household water heating systems, this is generally needs. As such, it is based on two basic a mix of water and glycol, which facts of physics, namely that dark-coloured passes the energy to the storage objects absorb more heat, and that hot container via an isolating heat water rises. During winter or cold spells, exchanger. In a direct system, electricity backup is normally used to however, the transfer medium ensure that the water is heated. is the potable water from the storage container. As illustrated on the following page, a typical solar water heating system consists Check The hot-water storage container of three components, namely a solar (or tank) is thermally insulated to collector, a heat transfer medium and a retain heat. storage container:

200 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

201 Heat transfer fluid transfer Heat water) (in this case, Storage tank Storage Geyser SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Collector plate Collector HEAT PUMPS PUMPS HEAT amount of pumps use a small Heat which acts electricity to power a pump, moving as an air conditioner in reverse, the air into the hot-water from heat below). geyser (see illustration Heat pump Heat water Hot-water supply Solar geysers are usually larger than than usually larger are Solar geysers insulated. and better electric geysers, maximise your solar allows you to This also are heaters solar water Yet, gains. than conventional expensive more If you do not have savings or geysers. rental are there access to bond finance, options available. and other financing Ifconventional geyser bursts, your to use the opportunity is an ideal that to solar pay-out to upgrade insurance pump. or to a heat select a When choosing an installer, good track company with a reputable on a system approved and insist record with all components by the SABS, by warranties. covered Heat pumps are a good option for homes and flats that do not get a lot of direct sunshine or do not have enough space or 60°C the right construction to support a solar water heater. A heat pump works during the day and at night, and, unlike a solar water heater, does not need to switch to an electric element on cloudy days.

The City’s Energy and Climate Change Directorate has more information available about solar water heaters and heat pumps. Turn to “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” at the end of the chapter for a web address.

GAS WATER HEATERS Check Tackle excessive Heating water with gas is very efficient Use less hot water. use with more efficient habits, such and, depending on the price of gas, as not letting the hot water run can be a cost-effective solution. All gas unnecessarily, using cold instead of installations must meet regulations and hot water to wash your hands, and have a certificate of conformity issued. using a basin plug when washing dishes. When using a bucket and ENERGY-EFFICIENCY element to heat water, be careful TIPS FOR HEATING not to leave the element where children can reach it. WATER Check Take a short shower instead of There are various ways to save electricity a bath. You will save up to 80% when heating water. in water and use five times less electricity. Have a look at the following no-cost, low- cost and invest-to-save suggestions: Check Switch off your geyser when you go away for a few days or longer. The NO-COST TIPS element heats up a few times daily if you leave it on. When you get back, Check to Turn your geyser down to 60 °C give the geyser a couple of hours to see a 5% reduction in your hot- heat up again. water electricity bill. In some cases, 55 °C is a good option, although it is advisable not to go below 55 °C for health reasons.

202 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 203 (2018). 16 Switch to a low-flow, energy- Switch to a low-flow, aerated and water-wise efficient designed are These showerhead. To less water. to use up to 40% hold a test your showerhead, the shower spray under bucket If you collect for 12 seconds. it should be than two litres, more is a requirement This replaced. under for all new installations Amendment the new Water By-law Set the Set the timer. Install a geyser the hours on peak timer to avoid grid and help reduce national the risk of load-shedding. - your geyser close to hot Fit will optimise This points. water electricity efficiency. or heat heater Install a solar water can slash your monthly pump. You electricity bill by anything from 25% to as much as 50%. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check INVEST-TO-SAVE TIPS INVEST-TO-SAVE

Simple ways to heat water are are water Simple ways to heat ofto put a black bucket water through in the sun or run water black pipes in the sun. pipes and your water Insulate your geyser in a geyser wrap heat prevents blanket. This the cost which reduces loss, of electricity needed to keep warm. water taps. hot-water leaking Fix A dripping tap can waste up to up to dripping tap can waste A If this of a day. 18 litres water it could tap, is the hot-water of in cost you hundreds rands electricity annually. during geyser offSwitch your during demand on the hours. Less peak electricity grid helps national risk of the reduce load-shedding. is in the demand peak In winter, 06:00 to 08:00 morning from 17:00 from and in the evening demand In summer, to 19:00. between stays high all day due to air mostly those peaks, conditioning. Amendment%20By-law%202018.pdf

16 http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20 LOW-COST TIPS LOW-COST Check Check Check Check COOKING AND REFRIGERATION The following tables provide an overview of the various cooking methods and refrigeration options, respectively, in terms of impact on the environment, affordability, as well as health and safety:

ELECTRIC HOT ELECTRIC GAS RING AND OVEN PARAFFIN FLAME PLATE AND OVEN MICROWAVE STOVE

CLEAN/ Clean energy for Clean energy for Efficient energy source Dirty emissions for RENEWABLE household, but there household, but there for cooking, but not the household; non- are emissions at the are emissions at the renewable; some renewable. power station; non- power station; non- emissions for household. renewable. renewable.

AFFORDABLE/ Most cost-effective Convenient, but Requires gas bottles, Very cheap initial ACCESSIBLE for electrified newly electrified refilling and appliances capital layout, but households. households may to be accessible. Can be expensive to run. not be able to cost-competitive with Small quantities afford appliances. electric alternatives, of paraffin can be Most cost-effective but will require large purchased. on a pure energy- capital on high-quality efficiency basis equipment and for solids heating, well-developed gas but not preferred distribution market. for most cooking Typically only available in applications. large quantities.

HEALTH AND Safe. Safe. Safe, if handled with care. Major cause of SAFETY fire and can cause poisoning.

ELECTRIC CHEST ELECTRIC FRIDGE/ PARAFFIN FRIDGE/ GAS FRIDGE/FREEZER FREEZER FREEZER FREEZER

CLEAN/ Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases in the cooling system of older fridges damage the ozone RENEWABLE layer. In fact, the use of CFCs is now banned worldwide. Newer non-CFC refrigerants are harsh greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change (if they leak out).

AFFORDABLE/ A chest freezer is To conserve cold, it is much more efficient for the freezer and fridge ACCESSIBLE very efficient, as the sections to have separate doors. cold does not “drop Significantly more expensive to run than electric out” when the door options, but effective where there is no electricity. is opened.

HEALTH AND Safe Safe Risky Safe, if handled with care SAFETY

ENERGY-EFFICIENCY NO-COST TIPS TIPS FOR COOKING Check Use specialised appliances for their designated tasks, such as making AND REFRIGERATION toast in a toaster instead of the oven. This is the easiest way to save Here are some no-cost, low-cost and invest- electricity in the kitchen. to-save tips for cooking and refrigeration:

Check Ensure the oven door is kept closed until the food is done. Opening and closing the door causes the oven to dissipate heat, and reheating it guzzles up electricity.

204 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE . A water- 205 before the the before off your dishwasher Turn a cloth to and use starts, drying cycle drip-dry. or let them dry the dishes Since magnetic fields heat your pots, your pots, Since magnetic fields heat to or steel cookware you need iron a magnet Take . maximise efficiency along when shopping for pots and pans. Check and replace the seals on your on your the seals Check and replace in the cold air. fridge to keep choose a a dishwasher, buying When uses less water model that dishwasher efficient uses up to 50% than a conventional one, less water to heat. 50% less water which means for stove- Choose induction cookers not only heat They top cooking. also save on electricity but quickly, the risk ofcosts and reduce burns. an cooking, high-temperature For induction stove uses up to 30% less hob. than an ordinary energy , Wonderbag or Invest in a Hot Box cooking costs by which can cut your and bags boxes These up to 60%. it pot so that your cooking insulate such Foods initial heat. the retains soups or stews can porridge, as rice, the stove, to the boil on be brought or to the box and then be transferred bag to continue the cooking process. you can simply wrap Alternatively, in the keeps This the pot in a blanket. and the food will continue to heat, and www.capetown.gov.za Visit cook. cooking. for smart search

Check Check Check Check TIPS INVEST-TO-SAVE Check LOW-COST TIPS TIPS LOW-COST Check SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

as much water as you need. as as much water Do not open the fridge door it open for unnecessarily or leave so it literally air sinks, too long. Cold “falls out” of the fridge when you of bottles water Put open the door. as these hold on to the in the fridge, an empty fridge Remember, cold. things to keep has to work hard but so does an overfull fridge. cold, Never put hot food in the fridge. Empty your fridge and switch it offgo away for an when you period. extended regularly. your freezer Defrost Only use pots and pans that pots and pans that Only use and cover stove plates completely and reflectors stove plates keep is energy all the that to ensure clean the food. being used to cook for small to Use the microwave and the ofmedium amounts food, meals. for larger conventional oven boil only When using a kettle, it runs more that will ensure This efficiently. the dishwasher only when Run it is full. the dishwasher is that sure Make supply, as to the cold-water linked the dishwasher itself the water. heats hot a dishwasher requires In fact, for only one wash and one water If the appliance is linked rinse cycle. power it will draw tap, to a hot-water offor the full duration the wash.

Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Check Stove-top cooking with gas does offer certain advantages over electricity. Gas supplies instant heat and is load-shedding-proof. It also removes a significant load from peak electricity demand, which can help ensure a more secure electricity supply.

LIGHTING

The following table offers an overview of the various lighting options for your home:

LED LAMP CFL LAMP INCANDESCENT PARAFFIN LAMP CANDLES BULB

CLEAN/ Electric lighting is clean for the household, but there are Dirty emissions Emissions for the RENEWABLE emissions at the power station; most grid electricity is for the household. non-renewable. household; non- renewable.

AFFORDABLE/ Most efficient Cheap and Cheap to buy, Cheap Expensive, but ACCESSIBLE and cheapest efficient. but does not appliance, but accessible. over lifespan. last. Consumes expensive to run. energy in wasted heat.

HEALTH AND Safe. Safe, but Safe. Paraffin can Major cause of SAFETY disposal is a cause poisoning fire. problem, as and respiratory CFLs contain illnesses; fire mercury. risk.

Paraffin lamps and candles are expensive cheap to buy, but very inefficient and and provide a low level of lighting. Electric power-hungry, making them expensive lighting is the best option, especially if in the long run. Paraffin lamps are LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are used. cheap to buy, but costly to use, and do LED lights can also easily be charged by not provide a good quality of light for solar power with a small photovoltaic reading or studying. Compact fluorescent panel and are very efficient and long- lamps (CFLs) are efficient and are being lasting. Moreover, LEDs are no longer promoted over incandescent bulbs. expensive, but have turned into common Containing mercury, however, they do lighting technology with a lifespan of present a significant waste hazard. When 20 000–50 000 hours, and need very little CFLs fail, replace them with LEDs. Old CFLs energy. They come in various colours for must be disposed of safely. Some of the mood lighting effects and are found in major supermarket chains provide disposal most supermarkets and hardware stores. bins for CFLs and batteries, as neither can Conventional incandescent bulbs are be thrown into your normal rubbish bin.

206 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 207 save energy. Moreover, numerous numerous Moreover, save energy. natural shown that studies have and stress reduce light can and productivity. health improve sensor lights Use motion-sensor lights suggest that Studies outside. outdoor lights may having regular in fact light the way for criminals, ifparticularly the high walls shield motion-detector Infrared property. switch on when that light fittings something moves and stay on for to likely more time are a pre-set and surprise unwanted visitors, also use less electricity. Replace incandescent light bulbs bulbs incandescent light Replace on LEDs save 80–90% with LEDs. the amount of electricity used for and pay for themselves lighting, in less than a year. Choose light colours for interior walls with dark Covering paints. colours could double the wattage the energy therefore, and, you need to light the room. Some paints also significantly boost reflectivity. They lights. Use solar-powered from on energy entirely rely the sun and contain a small so they can battery, chargeable night. be used at SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

INVEST-TO-SAVE TIPS INVEST-TO-SAVE Check LOW-COST TIPS LOW-COST Check Check Check

Open the Open the sunlight. - Turn off the lights if a you leave Turn than five minutes. for more room Maximise curtains in the morning instead of in the morning instead curtains will This turning on the lights.

NO-COST TIPS NO-COST Check Check cost, low-cost and invest- no-cost, are There to-save options to save electricity when it comes to lighting: ENERGY TIPS EFFICIENCY FOR LIGHTING CANDLES the top cause of are house Candles If you must use Town. Cape in fires place it in a glass jar with a candle, glass jar helps The the bottom. sand at the light, refracts the flame and protect and if over, the candle is knocked Any open the sand can kill the flame. and should be flame can be dangerous managed. carefully SOLAR LIGHTS/KITS new solar inexpensive Many excellent, come onto the lighting options have and many of them even include market, Some capacity. cellphone charging or four lights with long kits have three single lights. others offer leads; IF YOU DON’T DON’T IF YOU ELECTRICITY HAVE Check Let the sky light dark rooms. If you need lights on during the day, your home may benefit from light tubes or skylights. In summer, skylight blinds can help avoid overheating.

THERMAL COMFORT

Homes in South Africa are generally poorly For instance, put thermal insulation in your insulated and “leaky”, which means they ceiling and make sure that your doors and get hot in summer and stay cold in winter. windows fit snugly. Before buying heaters, make sure that your home is well insulated.

For a comparison of the various heating options, have a look at the following table:

ELECTRIC BAR OR ELECTRIC OIL- PARAFFIN HEATER GAS HEATER FAN HEATER FILLED HEATER

CLEAN/ Electric heating is clean for the household, Dirty emissions for Efficient energy RENEWABLE but there are emissions at the power station; the household; non- source for heating, most grid electricity is non-renewable. renewable. but non-renewable; some emissions for the household.

AFFORDABLE/ Effective for direct More effective for Can be used for Effective for heating ACCESSIBLE heating; good to use heating a room than heating and cooking the whole room. if you are sitting in a bar heater. at the same time. one place for a while.

HEALTH AND Safe. Safe. Can cause fire Relatively safe. SAFETY and poisoning if ingested by mistake. Can also cause respiratory problems.

An electric bar heater can be effective Gas heaters are effective, and quickly if it is close to you, but it is not very warm up a room. However, the room must effective for room heating. An electric be well ventilated. In terms of cost, gas oil-filled heater is effective for space heaters are more expensive than electric heating, but expensive to buy. Paraffin is heaters. A wood stove can be very cost- more expensive for home heating and it effective if it is efficient. comes with safety and health concerns.

208 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 209 Set it to maintain the Set it to maintain the Although Although wisely. Use windows house is any north-facing solar built for passive already to give it a you need heating, As soon as the winter hand. open all curtains sun is shining, in, to let the warm sunshine windows and doors but leave tightly shut until temperatures is That in the afternoon. peak up Seal air. the time for fresh the it gets cool in again before or evening with thick curtains you blinds on windows so that In summer, do not lose heat. ofclose the curtains all west- facing windows against the hot sun. afternoon If to you have no choice but do so use an air conditioner, wisely. the “golden within temperature between 18 °C and 22 °C, zone”, an eye on the outside but keep and try to ambient temperature between minimise the difference Consider outdoors and indoors. notching up the air conditioner on a particularly a few degrees only will it feel cool, Not hot day. but it will use less electricity and the life ofprolong your unit. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check

TURE ­TURE

- Check how you are dressed dressed Check how you are switching on the heater. before fleece, Wool, to be warm! Dress synthetics down and insulating for added Use layers heat. trap lose a We warmth and control. our heads, lot of through heat or other head a beanie so wear a Scarves also make covering. big difference. over bottle Choose a hot-water hot-water A an electric blanket. kettle W filled by a 2 000 bottle running for five minutes uses least 0,16 kWh and gives you at On the other two hours of warmth. electric blanket W a 200 hand, running for two hours uses than double the electricity more (0,4 kWh). more your electric blanket Make it to the Turn energy-efficient. for a few minutes highest setting and then bed, into getting before turn it off for the night.

NO-COST TIPS NO-COST Check Check Check There are various ways to stay warm stay warm various ways to are There needing to (and cool down) without (or cooling) systems in install heating your home: TIPS FOR TIPS FOR TEMPERA CONTROL ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOW-COST TIPS INVEST-TO-SAVE TIPS

Check Place heating right where you Check Insulate your ceiling. Insulation in need it. An electric blanket, your ceiling slows the transfer of hot-water bottle or fan heater all heat and makes your home up to direct the heat to warm you up 10 °C cooler in summer and 5 °C quickly. If you must warm a room, warmer in winter, saving up to 16% invest in a gas heater, or a heater of the electricity you need annually with a short warm-up time and to heat or cool your home. You can built-in thermostat. Only heat also purchase roof paints specially rooms that you and your family formulated to ward off the sun’s heat. will be spending time in. Avoid Check using underfloor heating. Yet, Install roof awnings and overhangs. These will shade windows from under-carpet heating only where the hot sun in summer, while still you are sitting can be very effective. allowing in the warm winter sun. Check Eliminate draughts blowing in Check Update old fireplaces. Open under doors and around windows. fireplaces send most of their heat Trace door and window edges with up the chimney. Modern, closed- a burning stick of incense or the combustion fireplaces and wood palm of your hand to find air leaks stoves retain the charm, while vastly and block them with self-adhesive improving efficiency by controlling weather stripping. Attach a sweep air flow. Wood pellets from scrap, or to the bottom of a door or use a firewood from suburban tree fellers, sausage bean bag to close the gap are also sustainable fuels. to the floor. Check the ceiling for gaps where heat escapes, such Check Before purchasing an air as the attic hatch. Better home conditioner, first try a ceiling fan. insulation makes a big difference They are less expensive and use to thermal comfort in winter and as little as a tenth of the electricity reduces the need for heating. to run, while lowering the room temperature by a few degrees. Fans do not cool the air, but only the skin of the person in their breeze, so turn them off when exiting the room. In winter, use them in brief spurts or in reverse at low speed in heated rooms to push warm air down from the ceiling.

210 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 211 Never overload your automatic your automatic Never overload Overloading machine. washing action. the cleaning will reduce the sizes of garments in a Varying the cleaning full load will improve circulation. free action by allowing of advantage special Take can on your washer that features soak example, For save money. stubborn stains in cycles remove one wash. Hang your clothes outside to dry. Do using a tumble dryer. Avoid your laundry on a sunny day or to dry use an indoor drying rack your clothes. really items that Only iron clothing Certain need ironing. with careful ironed will appear hanging and folding. loading washing -loading washing Invest in a front ofmachine instead a top-loader. and use less water Front-loaders cost less and therefore energy, the that Also ensure to operate. a variety machine you buy offers settings, of temperature water including cold. If buying a new tumble you are choose one with electronic dryer, shuts the This humidity control. when machine off automatically of dry instead clothes are relying on a timer. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check LOW-COST TIPS LOW-COST Check Check

- Switch off all unused appliances Switch off all unused appliances Appliances in stand- the wall. at DVD TVs, such as by mode, music systems and players, can still consume as computers, much as 50% of the electricity It is not they would normally use. necessary to unplug an appliance if off. is switched the socket Only use your washing machine a once you have accumulated Automatic full load of laundry. washing machines use the same amount of electricity for a full load as they do for a single item. or a lower heat Use cold water Wash as possible. as often setting of 60 °C (instead bed linen at 90 °C) to cut back on the amount Use cold of electricity you use. unless it is to wash clothing, water very dirty. -wash cycle for Skip the pre dirty. not very are clothes that

NO-COST TIPS NO-COST Check Check Check Check TIPS FOR TIPS FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES ENERGY EFFICIENCY HOUSEHOLD HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES INVEST-TO-SAVE TIPS Check Window shutters, awnings or screens provide shade for Check Invest in new, energy-efficient rooms and keep the heat out Buying an energy- appliances. during summer. efficient appliance can pay back in cost savings very soon. Look Check A skylight in the roof allows for labels such as the Energy natural light into the house Star rating, and always buy an on sunny days and reduces energy-smart model. the need for artificial lighting. Skylights are easy to install and very efficient. DESIGNING Check Insulation plays a very important AN ENERGY- role in indoor temperature control and should be prioritised. EFFICIENT It helps keep the house cooler in HOUSE summer and warmer in winter. Check Natural materials (stone, timber, In new buildings, you can cut your thatch and clay), which are all total household energy needs by up to available locally, are best to 70% through simple design principles keep your home cool in summer that save on your lighting, heating and and warm in winter. Mud bricks cooling needs. This is known as “passive are an excellent source of solar design”. Some key principles to insulation. Avoid cement bricks consider when building your home wherever possible. are listed below and depicted in the illustration that follows:17 Check Brick or concrete floors maintain comfortable temperatures in Check Orientate windows to the north your home, as they are good at or northeast to get the best light absorbing heat during the day and sunshine. However, ensure and releasing it slowly at night. that your entrance still engages with the street front. Check Heat loss occurs ten times faster through glass windows Check As the northern side of your than through insulated walls. house receives the most sun, the Therefore, open the curtains roof overhang on this side should during the day to let in the be longer (at least 40–60 cm natural light and close them at long). This will shade windows night to keep in the heat. in summer when the sun is high, while allowing the sun’s rays through the windows in winter, when the sun is at a low angle.

17 Resource Efficiency for Development, 2019.

212 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

213 Organic waste compost Organic Dry clothes on washing line Low/no VOC carpeting, VOC carpeting, Low/no sealants paints, adhesives, Greywater harvesting Greywater Insulated pipes Insulated Cavity walls Cavity Dual-flush toilet Water-efficient fittings Water-efficient Ceiling and insulation Ceiling Indoor plants Energy-efficient lighting and appliances Energy-efficient Skylight Gas stove and oven Three-bin system: recycling, general, organic general, system: recycling, Three-bin Rapidly renewable/recycled flooring materials renewable/recycled Rapidly Indigenous plants Lights shining downwards Compost SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART SOLAR ­- PHOTO AT VOLTAICS HOME YOUR Africa home in South average The than 600 kWh of more sunshine receives than it can ever per day – much more sunlight cells convert Solar PV use. which can be into electricity, directly in conjunction with the used directly grid (grid-tied) or with excess traditional system. via a battery stored generation your need reduces Investing in solar PV electricity and is renewable to purchase and low-carbon.

Solar water heater Solar water Stormwater filter strip Stormwater

Deciduous trees Water-wise grass Water-wise Rainwater harvesting Rainwater Permeable paving and soft landscaping paving and soft Permeable On-site power generation: Photovoltaic panels On-site power generation: and window sealing and window sealing Roof overhang as window shading A tin roof loses a lot of heat tin roof loses a lot ofA heat during winter and gets very hot the roof Insulate in summer. and paint it white to reflect which automatically light, Alternatively, it cooler. makes use aluminium or other materials. roofing Grow a deciduous creeper or or a deciduous creeper Grow or yard. over a veranda tree leafy these During summer, plants shade your house and they When out. the heat keep during autumn, lose their leaves rays allow the sun’s trees the bare to warm the house. through Natural ventilation: Double glazing ventilation: Natural Non-motorised transport Electric vehicle and charger Edible plants

First steps to greening your home: your steps to greening First Check Check All solar PV systems installed in the City’s When choosing a solar PV system for your electricity supply area must be authorised home, you have three options: by and registered with the City. This helps Check (or the City plan for electricity demand and A grid-tied feed-in system “with-export option”) generates ensures that it is safe for staff to work on electricity for use on the property. the grid. Any excess electricity generated from the system is fed back into the electricity grid, for which you may receive credit from the City through the SSEG tariff. This system is illustrated below:

Solar panels convert sunlight into clean DC energy

City of Cape Town electricity grid

During peak consumption periods and at night, electricity is imported from the grid

Exported electricity: When the solar system generates more electricity than your building uses, the excess electricity goes back into the grid and the City will credit you at a fixed rate

New City-approved bi-directional electricity meter

Existing electrical distribution board

City-approved inverter converts DC electricity into usable AC electricity

214 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 215 and other the risk of and other fire increase when poorly particularly hazards, installed; , in injury or death result especially if feeding it continues into the grid during a power which will put the outage, risk of owner at legal property health action under occupational and safety laws; and SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

REGISTRATION REGISTRATION SYSTEMS OF PV WITH THE CITY with the City you must register By law, to have a grid-tied for authorisation your and is to ensure This system. of as well as that safety, your family’s City staff into and anyone who comes or grid system. contact with the PV all that sure also makes Registration Running grid users pay for their usage. avoiding or your meter backwards of is paying your share the grid upkeep on your strain illegal and puts greater fellow Capetonians. system can: An unauthorised PV Check Check , . , A P P A C C T C C I I CONNECTING WITHOUT APPROVAL IS APPROVAL WITHOUT CONNECTING AN ANEO IEA in system -in system grid-tied non-feed A option” with (or “without-export blocking) power-flow reverse use on electricity for generates when there only the property Any excess is a demand for it. the from electricity generated feeding from system is blocked back into the grid. system -grid or standalone An off to the grid, has no connection your or through whether directly Instead, wiring. internal property’s and it is physically separated the grid. from electrically isolated would be a pool An example is connected directly pump that of system instead to to a solar PV the household wiring.

to fi your system. nd out how to register to fi Go to .cpeto.o./olrPV Check Check Change and Climate Energy City’s The on has issued guidelines Directorate how to safely and legally install rooftop Go to Town. systems in Cape PV AND the RESOURCES” at “CONTACTS end of you for the link where the chapter will This can download the brochure. and design, system help you choose a PV The as well as a good service provider. guidelines also include a useful checklist installation. during and after for before, Check cause quality and sustainability If you have more than one of any problems with the grid, as actual appliance, such as lightbulbs, write down generation capacity and schedules in column 3 how many of each appliance are unknown to the City. you have.

City Connect explains the PV registration In column 4, record how long (for how process in detail and provides the many hours) each appliance is used per necessary forms. Find the link under day. Consider differences in weekday “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES”. and weekend use, as well as summer and winter use, and calculate an average.

Note that some appliances, such as EXERCISE: fridges and hot-water cylinders, regulate DOING AN themselves by constantly switching on and off. Consult the table on page 218 to ENERGY AUDIT estimate your consumption. OF YOUR HOME This exercise will help you understand STEP 2: DO THE exactly where you use electricity in your CALCULATIONS home, and where you can save. To determine your daily electricity consumption, use this simple formula: STEP 1: COLLECT (Watts x hours used per day x number)/ THE DATA 1 000 = daily consumption in kilowatts

In column 1 of the table on the following In essence, therefore, you are multiplying page, list the appliances you have in column 2 by column 3, and then by your home. column 4 (if there is more than one item). This final figure is then divided by 1 000 to In column 2, note the electricity power convert from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours, (W) of each appliance. Appliance power because 1 kilowatt (kW) = 1 000 watts (W). is usually measured in watts and written Fill in the total in column 6 to get an on the appliance itself. (Note, however, estimate of your daily use per item. that this can indicate maximum power use, which could be higher than average Add up your total kilowatt-hours for power use.) The table ‘Average electricity all appliances to calculate your total consumption of typical home appliances’ electricity consumption. To get your on page 218 provides estimates for monthly consumption figure, multiply your common appliances, which may be total daily figure by 30,4 days. helpful.

216 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 217 0,21 kWh AVERAGE KWH KWH AVERAGE PER DAY COLUMN 6 COLUMN 5 x 7 x 6 = 5 x 7 x 6 = 210 Wh/day divide by 1 000 to get kWh/day AVERAGE AVERAGE NUMBER OF WH PER (WATT DAY X APPLIANCES HOURS/1 000) COLUMN 5 COLUMN SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART 7 lights NUMBER OF NUMBER OF UNITS COLUMN 4 COLUMN 6 hours HOURS/DAY IN IN HOURS/DAY USE (HOURS) COLUMN 3 COLUMN 5 W POWER USE POWER USE PER UNIT (WATTS) COLUMN 2 COLUMN e.g. e.g. LED lamp APPLIANCE APPLIANCE DESCRIPTION COLUMN 1 COLUMN AVERAGE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION OF TYPICAL HOME APPLIANCES

APPLIANCE POWER AVERAGE APPLIANCE POWER AVERAGE DESCRIPTION USE HRS/DAY DESCRIPTION USE HRS/DAY (WATTS) IN USE (WATTS) IN USE

LIGHTING REFRIGERATION

LED downlight 5 5 Chest freezer 105 4

Halogen downlight 50 5 Fridge – with freezer 158 5

Incandescent bulb 60 5 Fridge – no freezer 250 5

Compact fluorescent light 18 5 HOME MAINTENANCE

LED lamp 8 5 Dishwasher 2 500 0,9

LED security light 10 8 Vacuum cleaner 1 000 0,5

Halogen security light 150 8 LAUNDRY

COOKING Iron 980 0,4

Coffee machine 670 0,5 Steam iron 1 235 0,8

Electric stove 3 000 2 Washing machine 3 000 0,75 *

Frying pan 1 250 0,4 Tumble dryer 3 300 0,5 *

Kettle 1 900 0,3 * indicates per load

Hotplate – large 2 400 0,3 OTHER

Induction stove 2 000 0,3 Burglar alarm 10 24

Microwave oven 1 230 0,8 Cellphone charger 9 2

Toaster 1 010 0,3 CD player 9 0,4

Snackwich maker 1 200 0,3 Computer 134 1,5

Food processor 166 0,2 Cordless phone 2 15

GEYSER Hair dryer 647 0,1

Electric geyser 2 600 4,4 Radio 12 3

Solar water heater, with 2 600 1,7 Pool pump – variable 200 to winter electric backup speed drive 1 200 2 x 4 h

Heat pump 1 250 2,5 summer 2 x 6 h

218 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 219

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART DO THE 2: DO THE STEP CALCULATIONS the cost of determine fuel each To multiply the amount you per week, use (column 3) by the cost per unit in result down the Write (column 4). If you wish to obtain a rough column 5. multiply this by 4,2. monthly figure, COLLECT 1: COLLECT STEP DATA THE In column 1 of the table on the list the fuels you following page, gas, paraffin, such as electricity, use, candles. wood or batteries, purposes the different note In column 2, such fuel, each for which you use entertainment, lighting, as cooking, You or ironing. refrigeration heating, fuel and could even include transport costs if full picture. you want to get the write down how much of In column 3, fuel you use in a week. each write down the price of In column 4, or such as a litre unit, the fuel for each ofkilogram fuel. This exercise will look at the amount the amount will look at exercise This of instead of money spent on energy, Understanding consumed. total energy money) (and uses most energy what you can will help you identify where savings. make EXERCISE: EXERCISE: DETERMINING OF THE COST IN ENERGY HOME YOUR Examine your results and identify and identify Examine your results of home use the most which areas the can take you By doing this, electricity. cost-saving actions to effective simple, your electricity consumption. reduce accuracy simple way to check the A of it to your your audit is to compare Remember, actual electricity units used. it might change depending on the and number ofseason people in your a good yardstick. it remains Yet home. IDENTIFY 3: IDENTIFY STEP ACTION PRIORITY AREAS AND FOR POTENTIAL SAVINGS COLUMN 1: COLUMN 2: COLUMN 3: COLUMN 4: COLUMN 5:

WHAT TYPE OF WHAT IS THIS HOW MUCH WHAT IS THE COST PER FUEL DO YOU FUEL USED FUEL DO PRICE OF WEEK FOR USE? FOR? YOU USE PER THE FUEL PER FUEL? WEEK? UNIT?

ELECTRICITY

PARAFFIN

GAS

BATTERIES

WOOD

TOTAL COST

STEP 3: IDENTIFY Think about where you spend the most money on energy every week and use the PRIORITY ACTION tips in this chapter to make better energy AREAS AND choices. Also look at “A safe home” on page 222 to see whether you can improve POTENTIAL FOR on energy safety in your home. SAVINGS

220 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

221

2 /month /month /month /month /month /month /annum 2 2 2 2 2 2 /MONTH 2 146 193 737 kg CO kg CO kg CO kg CO kg CO emissions from emissions from

you emit per 2 2 – KG CO – KG COLUMN 3: COLUMN KG CO CARBON EMISSIONS EMISSIONS CARBON Using the audits you have 1: Using the Step of your or a record completed, fill in and fuel bills, electricity the amount of fuel you use each month in column 1. 2: Multiply this by the Step in column 2. value provided this for electricity, example, For will give you the This is 0,995. ofkilograms CO month. Write this in column 3. this in column 3. Write month. your annual CO 3: For Step emissions, multiply column 3 by emissions, and add for all fuels. 12 months, 4: IfStep this you want to calculate you will need to divide per tonne, as 1 tonne = 1 000 kg. it by 1 000, per kg per kg per litre per litre SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART per kWh per kWh

2 2 2 Check Check Check Check COLUMN 2: COLUMN x 0,995 kg CO x 1,622 kg CO x 2,577 kg CO

EMISSIONS FACTOR EMISSIONS FACTOR 18 , as it is as it is , 2

) emissions levels. ) emissions levels. 2 COLUMN 1: COLUMN PER MONTH FUEL USAGE USAGE FUEL You could also include transport fuel. transport could also include You HOUSEHOLD TYPE HOUSEHOLD TYPE Electricity: ______kWh LPG: ______kg ______litres Paraffin: related emissions per month emissions per month -related household energy Total emissions per annum -related household energy Total Average low-income non-electrified home in Cape Town Town Cape low-income non-electrified home in Average Town Cape low-income electrified home in Average Town mid-income home in Cape Average 18 Different fuels have different carbon carbon different fuels have Different (CO dioxide EXERCISE: EXERCISE: CALCULATING YOUR HOUSEHOLD’S CARBON EMISSIONS Cape Town homes, excluding transport. transport. excluding homes, Town Cape Electricity in South Africa emits emits Africa Electricity in South substantial amounts of CO derived from the burning of the burning derived from low-grade of a quick estimate your For coal. carbon related consumption and energy follow these steps: emissions, Compare your household’s carbon emissions with typical annual CO carbon emissions with typical your household’s Compare Our homes run on energy. Every time we FINDING A GAS LEAK switch on an appliance, turn on a light or heater, cook our food or heat our water, Regularly check for leaks in your gas we use energy. Of all the CO2 released into cylinder, piping and connections. To do the atmosphere by Cape Town households, this, turn the gas off at the cylinder. Check 26% comes from the energy used to run our all connections. Slowly turn the gas on and homes. This means that the actions we take brush the connections with soapy water or to improve energy use in our homes can liquid detergent. Bubbles will form where help reduce the negative impact of climate the gas is leaking. Take the cylinder to your change, environmental degradation and gas dealer to be checked, replaced or fixed. resource overconsumption. If you ever smell gas in your home, quickly open the windows and doors. Close the Using energy more efficiently and cylinder valve and leave the room. Have conserving energy will save you money. your cylinder checked, replaced or fixed as soon as possible. A SAFE HOME VENTILATION

WIRING A PLUG When burning any energy source – gas, paraffin, coal or wood – always make A plug that is wired incorrectly can lead to sure the room remains well ventilated by electric shocks and burns. To wire a plug keeping a window or door open. Smoke/ correctly, put the wires into the correct fumes from burning fuel can cause illness sockets and turn the screws to secure them. and even death. Once screwed in, gently pull the three wires to make sure they are not loose.

222 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE NO

223 YES

Always switch off an appliance Always switch off an appliance its plug from removing before and always switch off the socket, the bulb. replacing a light before or fingers wires Never put bare the Touching into sockets. of is wires an appliance that still plugged in can cause an electric shock. If you have too many appliances remove plugged into one socket, and only plug some of plugs, the in an appliance when you intend to avoid using more Try using it. at in one socket plugs than three a time. Using conducts electricity. Water or electricity in the bathroom in an may result water near electric shock. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check

Buy insulation tape and cover tape and cover Buy insulation by copper wires any exposed the winding the tape around First a couple ofwires times. turn off the power mains before wires. touching exposed Move wires away from heat, as as heat, away from Move wires they could burn and cause a fire. running under cords Remove as damaged and carpets, a fire. can start wires exposed

Electric wires in our home are kept far from sources of heat, such as such as of sources heat, far from kept in our home are Electric wires stoves or candles. no copper wiring exposed. with well insulated, are All wires do not run under carpets. Our electric wires a time. at in one plug socket appliances than three never more are There water. or near electrical appliances in our bathroom do not have We the All members of a plug from know never to remove our household cord. or by pulling on the electric on, while it is still switched socket All members of be the appliance must know that our household switched off) (with the socket before plug socket the from removed fixing an appliance. changing a lightbulb. off always switch the light before We SCORE TOTAL ELECTRICITY ELECTRICITY Check If no to some of you answered consider the the questions above, following actions: Check Check Answer the following to check the electrical safety around your home: to check the electrical safety around Answer the following ELECTRICAL SAFETY QUIZ QUIZ SAFETY ELECTRICAL PARAFFIN SAFETY QUIZ

Answer the following to check the paraffin safety around your home:

PARAFFIN YES NO

Our paraffin stove and lamps are clean and burn clearly.

Paraffin is stored safely in a cupboard or packed high enough to be out of reach of children.

Our paraffin bottles are clearly labelled, and not kept in cooldrink or milk bottles that could confuse people, especially children.

We use a funnel (or cut off the top of a cooldrink bottle) to pour paraffin into the lamps and stove – we never use a cup.

Our paraffin stove and lamps are always on level, sturdy surfaces and out of the way of playing children.

Our paraffin lamps are always covered with a glass lamp shade, and never burn with an open flame.

Our paraffin is kept in a clean container, and we never mix it with other fuels, such as oil or petrol.

TOTAL SCORE

If you answered no to some of these Check A level and sturdy surface will prevent questions, consider the following actions: a stove or lamp from falling over and starting a fire. Make sure appliances Check Always keep your appliances clean. are out of children’s reach, as they Dirty or faulty appliances emit a lot may knock them over by accident. of smoke, which can cause asthma, bronchitis, coughing or pneumonia Check A large pot on a small stove may for members of your household. cause the stove to topple over, starting a fire. Check Always store paraffin in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Check Make sure your lamps are covered, as Containers need to be clearly marked this will help prevent fires and burns. so that children will know not to drink Check Always use a clean container for it. Funnels used to pour paraffin into paraffin. Dirty paraffin emits dirty, stoves and lamps should be stored harmful smoke. with the paraffin. Do not use a mug or cup for this purpose, as somebody may drink from it by mistake.

224 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE NO 225 YES

Place candles in safe places. Place candles in safe places. windowsill is a bad place to A wind may as the put a candle, flame may also The blow it over. alight. set curtains Candles can be safely placed in a Candles filled with sand. glass jar partially the securing the candle, from Apart sand will snuff out the flame if the over. jar is accidentally knocked Although more expensive than expensive more Although a far fuel gel provides paraffin, cannot it As it is a gel, safer option. and will not be drunk by mistake the chances of reduces This spill. poisoning and fire. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check CANDLES, COAL COAL CANDLES, AND WOOD QUIZ SAFETY Answer the following to check whether safety measures you have adequate coal and in place when using candles, your home: wood around Do not plant burning candles Do not plant burning candles or in their own wax on a plate, as they may on the table, directly buy or Rather fall over. easily candle holders. make Never be tempted to mix paraffin tempted to mix paraffin Never be oil and such as fuels, with other as spirits (“meths”) methylated and this can be very dangerous Petrol may cause explosions. a particularly make and paraffin combination. dangerous is accidentally paraffin Sometimes, may with a bit of that mixed petrol of the bottom at a transport be left to check paraffin Smell your tank. it does not contain any that If it has a pinkish colour, petrol. it to the retailer return immediately and get them to contact their even more burns Petrol suppliers. mix of and a quickly than paraffin, the fuels can explode.

Candles in my home always stand securely in candle holders. in candle holders. stand securely in my home always Candles open windows and curtains. placed well away from are Candles to for the smoke we have a chimney indoors, a fire When we make escape out of. coal. wood or low-smoke always use dry We and that it is well sheltered, sure we make outdoors, When making a fire is completely out when we go indoors or away. the fire SCORE TOTAL CANDLES, COAL AND WOOD AND WOOD COAL CANDLES, If no to some of you answered the consider the questions above, following actions: Check Check Check Use solar lights instead of candles. Check Make sure the house is well ventilated when you use an Check Many people, particularly young mbawula (stove/brazier) indoors. children, die every year from indoor Always light the mbawula outside. air pollution due to fire smoke. Always make sure that there is a Check If outdoors, a wind-protected area chimney to let the smoke out of or shelter will prevent a fire from the house. getting out of control.

GAS SAFETY QUIZ

Answer the following to check on the gas safety around your home:

GAS YES NO

When lighting our gas stove or lamps, I always light the match first before turning on the gas.

Our gas cylinders are stored far from any direct source of heat, such as a lamp, heater or stove.

We buy our gas from a supplier who has a safety rating.

We ask our gas dealer to check our gas appliances if we are worried about them.

We regularly check the connecting pipes, rubber seals (washers), bottles and appliances for breaks or leaks, and replace them when we detect a leak.

The gas bottle key is kept safely away from children.

TOTAL SCORE

If you answered no to some of these Check Do not use a gas cylinder that has questions, consider the following actions: been involved in a fire. If in doubt about your cylinder or appliances, Check Make sure your gas cylinder and first check with your gas dealer. connections are in good condition by checking for leaks and replacing Check Always buy gas from a registered or fixing any detected leaks supplier with a safety rating. This immediately. should be displayed on the outside of the supply centre.

226 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

19 227

Immediately take the person to the person to take Immediately the the clinic or hospital and take container with you. paraffin of bucket a large Always keep woollen blanket sand or a large Do not give the person anything anything Do not give the person to drink or eat. lie down. Do not let the person them stand up or sit Make upright. to burn. needs oxygen Fire Normal air contains 21% oxygen. put the best way to Therefore, to smother it and take is out a fire supply with sand away the oxygen or a blanket. Do not try to make the person the person Do not try to make could fumes The vomit. cause enter their lungs and pneumonia. close to where you have your fire you have your fire close to where sand throw In case of fire, or stove. Having onto it. directly or a blanket is even better. extinguisher a fire onto a fuel fire water Never throw or diesel paraffin (such as a petrol, as this can cause it to spread. fire), if and the conducts electricity, Water wires, electrical touches bare water it can give you an electric shock. SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check Check OF FIRE IN CASE Check IN CASE SOMEONE SOMEONE IN CASE PARAFFIN DRINKS Check Check

If the electricity cannot be do not touch the disconnected, as you will also get a victim, hold of take the Rather shock. them clothing and drag person’s to or chair away or use a broom the push the victim away from If the victim’s electricity source. yourself protect clothing is wet, by using dry rubber gloves, newspaper or plastic. breathing. the victim’s Evaluate or is it irregular? Has it stopped, Check for a pulse and see whether an Call the victim is conscious. ambulance (107 or 021 480 7700) not if the person is unconscious, or you cannot detect breathing, to It is a good idea a heartbeat. familiarise yourself with some as such basic first-aid techniques, and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation massage. heart Disconnect the main switch. If switch. Disconnect the main disconnect this cannot be done, the wall plug to the electricity at which the appliance is connected. use a non-conductingIf possible, such as a wooden or plastic object, to or chair (not metal), broom the plug. switch off at the electricity Must not be fleece or polyester.

Check Check 19 IN CASE OF AN AN OF IN CASE SHOCK ELECTRIC Check MANAGING MANAGING AT ACCIDENTS HOME Check If the fire is in a pot, just put the lid on, Check Keep burns under a cold running as that would take away the oxygen. tap or in cold water for ten minutes. Do not apply ice directly to the burn Check If your clothes catch alight, do not run. or rub Vaseline, oil or any other Stop, drop, cover your face and roll cream onto it. on the ground to put out the flames. Check Go to a clinic or hospital if the burn is Check If your skin is burnt, first cool the bigger than the size of a person’s hand. burn in water, then go to the clinic or hospital. Check If the victim has suffered a severe burn that affects an entire limb or Check If your house has caught alight, get more, keep it under cold water out as soon as you can. Crawl on your using a tap, bath or shower until hands and knees to the nearest door. help arrives or transport to a Hot air and smoke rise, so crawling hospital can be arranged. This can and keeping low will help you remain save a person’s life. below the toxic smoke and prevent suffocation from a lack of oxygen. EMERGENCY CALLS BURNS Check Locate the correct emergency numbers for your area. Display them Check Remember to stop, drop and roll if clearly or keep them within easy reach. your clothes catch fire. Tell all members of the household where they are and what they are for.

GENERAL EMERGENCY NUMBER

YOUR NEAREST FIRE STATION

YOUR LOCAL POLICE STATION

YOUR LOCAL CLINIC OR HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM

Check CAPE TOWN The nature of the emergency EMERGENCY Check The exact location of the incident (including nearby landmarks) SERVICES Check Details about any injuries Check “CONTACTS AND RESOURCES” Never hang up until you are told to do so. for key Cape Town emergency service numbers. When making a call, try to stay calm and have these details ready:

228 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

229 AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE Dial 10177 021 590 5200 for: and search www.capetown.gov.za air quality www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/ Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/ apply-for-authorisation-to-install-a-small- scale-embedded-generation-system www.savingelectricity.org.za/climate- change/ https://savingelectricity.org.za https://savingelectricity.org.za/wp- content/uploads/2018/09/4255-FA-CCT- Energy-PV-Brochure_September2018.pdf www.capetown.org.za/SolarPV www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20 and%20home/Residential-utility-services/ Residential-electricity-services/the-cost-of- electricity Dial 107 Dial 112 www.eskom.co.za/CustomerCare/ TariffsAndCharges/Pages/Tariffs_And_ Charges.aspx Dial 10111 021 689 5227 021 931 6129 0861 555 777 (24-hour)

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART DESCRIPTION For medical emergencies requiring requiring medical emergencies For to hospital transport urgent tips and advice on how to prevent For air pollution and reduce on how to apply for Information system to install a solar PV authorisation your home at to become efforts on the City’s more For the mitigate and energy-efficient more impact of change climate and heat heaters on solar water more For pumps Guidelines PV: Rooftop the brochure For in Installations for Safe and Legal Town Cape in on electricity tariffs Information In the event of threatening an emergency life or human property In the event of threatening an emergency or human life property electricity on residential Information areas in Eskom-supplied tariffs police assistance urgent For line for poison-related Direct emergencies line for poison-related Direct emergencies Hospital Tygerberg by Joint line operated Hospital, Children’s Cross and Red guidance in the event expert providing of poisoning City-supplied areas City’s Air Quality City’s Management Department City Connect and Climate Energy City’s Change Directorate in City- Electricity tariffs supplied areas Emergencies C, a Cell from Emergencies and MTN cellphone Vodacom Book Tariff Eskom Police Hospital Poison Cross Red Centre Information Poison Tygerberg Centre Poisons Cape Western Helpline Information CONTACT/RESOURCE Ambulance CONTACTS AND AND CONTACTS RESOURCES HERITAGE

Our heritage is our unique identity and practices and skills. Heritage resources sense of place: past, present and future. are non-renewable and irreplaceable. Cape Town has a rich and diverse cultural Once they have been destroyed, they and natural heritage spanning millions of cannot be replaced. Heritage defines our years. Heritage resources can be places, cultural identity and, therefore, lies at the spaces, landscapes, objects and historical heart of our spiritual well-being and has buildings, and include traditional the power to build our nation.

230 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 231 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Cultural landscapes: District Six site. Cultural Built environment (buildings/ Built environment streetscapes/neighbourhoods and historic places). CULTURAL HERITAGE CULTURAL of heritage is the result or intervention and includes human activity Cultural landscapes, cultural buildings, artworks, and/or objects, artefacts sites, archaeological history of in the important are with events or people that places associated places and spaces. and/or sacred Town Cape WHAT IS A HERITAGE HERITAGE A IS WHAT RESOURCE? Act (NHRA) to be Resources Heritage is defined in the National heritage resource A significance. is ofany place or object that or natural cultural The National Heritage Resources Act empowers civil society to nurture and conserve and conserve Act empowers civil society to nurture Heritage Resources National The further It generations. to future can be bequeathed they so that its heritage resources in the interest heritage resources on the government to manage places the obligation ofAfricans. all South IMPORTANCE IMPORTANCE OF HERITAGE Palaeontological sites. Archaeological sites and artefacts.

Burial grounds and graves.

232 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 233 Prestwich Memorial Memorial Prestwich The The serves Centre Visitors’ and as a place of memory and place for the human resting during uncovered remains the course of developments area. Point in the Green SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART As time passed, the informal the informal As time passed, land or burials under the unused the City were wasteland outside and the City grew and forgotten over them. expanded of the remains more In 2005, who died than 4 000 people century 18th in the mid/late people These discovered. were of the range people represent the time: at the Cape living at tailors, teachers, housewives, slaves, dockworkers, sailors, people ofdescent. Khoe (or Khoi) Centre Visitors’ Memorial and The interprets a space that provides the voices of and expresses past communities for people to memorial The today. experience is available to communities for heritage public exhibitions, and seminars. workshops PRESTWICH PRESTWICH MEMORIAL During the 1755 smallpox was rate mortality the epidemic, new cemeteries two so high that in the dunes established were to the west of the settlement the dead. to accommodate of all Thousands from people ofwalks life fell victim to the buried as and were smallpox soon as possible to prevent spreading. from the disease the who could not afford Those burial burial fee for the official (including slaves) grounds These by. close interred were from informal burials extended to westward Street Buitengracht the Amsterdam Battery. the different In the 1830s, in denominations religious given burial were Town Cape plots along Somerset Road. NATURAL HERITAGE

Natural heritage includes all those components of our heritage that are not the result of human activity, but are of importance to society or communities based on their inherent aesthetic, spiritual, biotic or environmental value.

Palaeontological sites: The coastal cliffs at Wolfgat Nature Reserve contain the fossilised bones of an ancient hyena lair.

Soetwater: The fishtraps along the coast The Cape Floristic Kingdom World form part of a relic cultural landscape of Heritage Site. the Cape Peninsula.

234 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 235

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART 17th century Island: 17th century Robben WWII prison, leper colony, quarry, and most famously military base, Nelson Mandela the place where Other iconic was held prisoner. who spent time on the leaders Govan Sisulu, Walter island were Mosiuoa Zuma, Jacob Mbeki, Robben Joe Seremane. and Lekota Heritage Island is one ofWorld two within the City of Sites located Town. Cape

(GRADE I HERITAGE RESOURCES): (GRADE I HERITAGE of they are to all significance that so exceptional are that heritage resources are These I. as Grade identified heritage sites are These Africans. South Heritage resources are categorised in three main categories or grades. These These or grades. main categories in three categorised are Heritage resources provincial within national, of to the importance the heritage resource relate grades has value in its own right. Each heritage resource and municipal spheres. SITES HERITAGE NATIONAL WHAT DOES HERITAGE DOES HERITAGE WHAT GRADING MEAN? Heritage is managed across the three spheres of government (national, provincial and and provincial of spheres government (national, the three across Heritage is managed for the responsible Agency (SAHRA) is African Heritage Resources South The local). (HWC) is responsible Cape Western Heritage management of heritage sites. national is the first Town City of The Cape offor the management heritage sites. provincial ofhave been found competent in terms local authority to Heritage the National and management identification for the and is responsible Act 25 of 1999, Resources ofof local significance. resources heritage WHO MANAGES MANAGES WHO OUR HERITAGE? PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITES (GRADE II HERITAGE RESOURCES):

These are heritage resources that are significant to our province or a region and that have particular significance to communities within the Western Cape province. These heritage sites are identified as Grade II.

Table Mountain: This iconic view has characterised the entrance to Cape Town for time immemorial. It was declared a national monument (now a provincial heritage site) in 1957. Given its iconic nature and World Heritage Site status, Table Mountain has since been graded as Grade I and should be declared as a national heritage site.

LOCAL HERITAGE RESOURCES (GRADE III HERITAGE RESOURCES):

These are the heritage resources that are important to you and me, our communities and our neighbourhoods. When local heritage resources are identified as being conservation worthy, they are noted as Grade III heritage resources.

Grade III heritage resources are further divided into three management categories:

Grade III(A): These resources have special local significance – often because of association with a community or even because they are excellent examples of their type.

236 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 237 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART The Art Deco apartment blocks of Vredehoek. of blocks Vredehoek. Deco apartment Art The Vredehoek: Vredehoek: These are heritage resources that have some intrinsic value, but also also but have some intrinsic value, that resources heritage are These III(B): Grade of character our neighbourhoods. define the special architectural often is the oldest designated township in Cape Town, constructed as a direct result result constructed as a direct Town, township in Cape Langa is the oldest designated arrival follows a person’s that Passage” “Migrant The of based town planning. racially finally, and, and pass offices, station police medical examinations, station, the train at Langa is of theme in the heritage tourism important is an Langa. to the Main Barracks Cape. in the struggle history ofWestern also important the Built in the late 19th century, these Victorian terraces are typical of Woodstock. The suburb remains a vibrant integrated neighbourhood that escaped the classifications of the Group Areas Act and was not subjected to the forced removals that scarred the rest of the city.

The Cape Revival style gables of Kyle Street terraces in the Strand are characteristic of the 1920s and 1930s.

238 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 239

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART WHAT DO YOU THINK? YOU DO WHAT sometimes seen are III heritage resources Grade as being less important than the national and/or and/or than the national as being less important do you think about What heritage sites. provincial that statement? statement? that This suburb is one of the most photographed suburb is one of This the most photographed in the Bo-Kaap: typical streetscape A Town. in Cape heritage tourism destinations These heritage resources may be somewhat altered, but as a grouping a grouping but as altered, somewhat may be heritage resources III(C): These Grade in whether we live ofneighbourhoods, in our the character they define the streets Town. or Simon’s Point Sea Wynberg, Village, Garden Maitland CHALLENGES AND THREATS TO HERITAGE

The greatest challenge to good heritage management is finding the middle ground between conserving and protecting heritage for future generations, and stimulating sustainable development and economic opportunities within the City’s metropolitan area. Other factors that lead to a loss of heritage are lack of funding to do basic and routine maintenance, wilful neglect and theft.

City skyline: The largest threat to our heritage is the impact of new developments on our cultural environment. One of the policies in the City’s Cultural Heritage Strategy is to guide development in order to protect heritage resources and to support economic growth.

240 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 241

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

temperature. At one point, the sea level level the sea At one point, temperature. level. sea was about 120 m lower than the current do you think What now under the sea. coast are Cape level change? the sea happened then to make at the end of which anatomically modern humans the end ofat modern humans which anatomically to changes in Earth’s in response Age sites along the Southern Many Middle Stone During the Late Pleistocene (the geological period Pleistocene (the geological period During the Late record), in the archaeological appear dramatically level fluctuated the sea DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU PALAEONTOLOGY the fossil bones of river corridors and plains in which ancient The animals and early ofhumans can be found tell the story of the geological formation the southern tip of Duinefontein, now extinct. Africa and the evolution of are animals and plant forms that These Town. of examples are palaeontological sites within Cape and Swartklip Wolfgat us which could help conditions, about past environmental sites give us information level. changes in sea change and related to cope with climate develop strategies hominid ancestors of early of modern humans lived millions The anatomically years behind stone tools left The ago in this landscape of ancient river corridors and plains. the Langebaan footprints – fossils (e.g. trace ancestors and very rare by these early the only evidence of often have been preserved. this period that old) are 117 000 years HERITAGE IN OUR CITY IN OUR HERITAGE Bay in the east to Gordon’s in the north Mamre from extends Town of City The Cape story of the and diverse landscape, Within this varied in the south. Point and Cape unfolds. Town Cape WHAT IS PALAEONTOLOGY?

Palaeontology is the study of fossils – it studies the structure and evolution of extinct animals and plants and the age and conditions of deposition of the rock strata in which they are found. Palaeontology can tell us about how our climate changed over time and how that influenced our landscape and habitat by looking at the fossils of plants and animals.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND EARLY HISTORY OF CAPE TOWN The story of the Khoisan that were living at the southern tip of Africa, well before the arrival of the trading ships between Europe and the East in the 15th and 16th centuries, is told in the shell middens and (rare) cave sites on the Cape Peninsula. These archaeological records extend from 100 000 years ago to the last 2 000 years and tell the story of the hunter-gatherers (the San) and the arrival of the Khoekhoe (or Khoikhoi) herders with their sheep and cattle.

The Gordon’s Bay midden in Hendon Park, Gordon’s Bay, is a rare surviving shell midden along this stretch of the False Bay coast. Most of the shell middens along Table Bay and False Bay have been destroyed by urban expansion. Melkbosstrand once had extensive shell middens that testified to past use by Khoisan people. Little now remains of these shell middens, but occasionally the remains of burials that were associated with these shell middens are uncovered during the alteration of existing houses or the laying of service trenches.

242 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 243 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU both English and spoke the Hottentot”, also known as “Harry Autshamoa, to between Dutch sent to the Cape an interpreter He acted as Dutch. Autshamoa in 1652 and the Khoisan. station establish the refreshment Riebeeck in 1659 for starting van Jan Island by to Robben was exiled over stolen and the Dutch settlers a fight between the Goringhaikona made history by being one of Autshamoa further the few people cattle. Island. Robben to successfully escape from The establishment of the Dutch East India Company’s refreshment station station refreshment establishment ofThe the Dutch East India Company’s Park – the Urban Two Rivers The by conflict. was marked the Cape at confluence of the Liesbeeck and the Salt Rivers – is thought to be the site of in the Liesbeeck between the Dutch settlers the second major skirmish River valley and the Khoekhoe. DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU WHAT IS A IS A WHAT MIDDEN? SHELL is a mound shell midden A of marine shells that mostly in the past formed when people to harvest came to the coast essentially They are shellfish. Sometimes we rubbish dumps. stone tools, find animal bones, beads ostrich eggshell pottery, items in and other decorative the middens. CAPE TOWN’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The built environment tells the story of the establishment of the Dutch refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope and the subsequent occupation of the settlement by the British. It also tells the story of urbanisation and development during the 20th and 21st centuries. The age and style of buildings reflect the available resources and the aesthetic values of the time in which they were built. One can track the evolution and expansion of the settlement at the Cape, and thus the growth of the City, through its buildings. For example, Cape Town Central Business District (CBD) is the oldest urban centre in the City metro and it is here that one finds the oldest surviving 17th-century urban fabric: the Castle of Good Hope.

When the Cape was occupied by the British in 1795 and again in 1806, public buildings erected during this period reflected this change.

Entrance to the Castle: Neptune and Entrance to the Customs House: Neptune Mercury. and Britannia.

The typical Dutch-style gable entrance The early 19th-century Town Granary reflects guarded by Neptune (god of the seas) and the influence of classical Greek architecture Mercury (god of trade and commerce). that was popular in Britain at the time. Neptune (god of the seas) is joined by Britannia (the personification of Britain and her dominion over the seas).

244 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 245 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART were demolished as part the forced removals removals the forced of demolished as part terraces District Six were Victorian The historical and political evolution of the City of Cape Town is represented in its in its is represented evolution of historical and political Town The the City of Cape historical narrative. changes in the the layers of which represent landscapes, cultural over and above its for instance, landscapes, Winelands’ cultural Constantia The tell the story of of 17th century and the birth the late spectacular scenic qualities, story of land owners’ The Dutch emigrant Cape. Western the wine industry in the story of The the of the farmsteads. Dutch architecture is told in the Cape aspirations of this as well as that the Khoekhoe who entered farms, on these worked slaves that is less evident in the workers, new economic landscape on the periphery as seasonal architecture. farms. Tygerberg of with the landscapes associated remains the cultural little Very the hinterland where to the gateway were Old Plattekloof farm and Slot van de Grendel their mark as Dutch-descendant land owners made generation the second and third along excavations At Plattekloof farm (established in 1699), farmers. stock and grain adjoining ruins ofthe old werf was said to have been the old slave lodge, what wall, archaeologists Coast, West on the At Kasteelberg of the remains a lamb. uncovered with and covered of in leather made a similar discovery: remains a lamb wrapped bone and tortoise lamb had been buried together with ostrich eggshells, The ochre. the Khoekhoe were farm, this frontier at which suggests that bone points, worked some aspects of least lifestyle. at their traditional and practising presents These These LANDSCAPES CULTURAL RURAL of 1968. By the late 19th century, Cape Town experienced a notable boom in immigration, in immigration, a notable boom experienced Town Cape 19th century, By the late is This high. housing was for affordable and the demand Europe, from especially reflected the across characteristic in are that houses Victorian terrace the numerous older suburbs of the city. The remains of old roadways across the City of Cape Town are particularly noticeable in the rural areas. The old road to Mamre (originally a VOC cattle outpost) coincides with a former cattle doordrift. Along these tracks, stock was brought into Table Bay for sale to residents, as well as to the ships visiting the harbour to replenish their food stores. Nowadays, the old road to Mamre runs through the middle of an agricultural field, marked by an ancient avenue of blue gums planted in the 19th century to provide shade and shelter along the then newly constructed hard road.

URBAN CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

The more recent history and development of the City of Cape Town is told through the lens of apartheid town planning. Many of the older suburbs of the City of Cape Town were subjected to the forced removals of the Group Areas Act. Not all neighbourhoods were subjected to large-scale demolition as were District Six, Protea Village, Bishopscourt, Redhill, Luyolo and parts of Simon’s Town. In Harfield Village, Claremont, Wynberg and Newlands, disused churches and isolated mosques testify to the removal of the communities that lived here.

Luyolo was built around 1900 to house Xhosa-speaking workers employed in building the East Dock. They remained in Simon’s Town and worked in the harbour. In 1965, over a thousand people were relocated to Gugulethu.

DID YOU KNOW?

Langa, Pinelands and Maitland Garden Village were inspired by the Garden City Movement of the late 19th century. The garden village design was adapted to suit what was referred to as “African” requirements. Although predating legislated apartheid, these towns are evidence of segregated town planning.

246 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 247 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU Act 107 of Management 1998 defines Environmental National The and is within which humans exist as the surrounding “environment” and properties aesthetic and cultural chemical, made up of the physical, and well-being. influence human health conditions of that the foregoing all, After environment. placed firmly in the natural Heritage is therefore human life on this planet cannot exist. environment, without the natural DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU to 1911 and Africa dates in South heritage legislation earliest The and our archaeological rock art at protecting was specifically aimed to was expanded heritage legislation only in 1934 that It was heritage. include buildings. HERITAGE LEGISLATION LEGISLATION HERITAGE for heritage the point of ofAfrica provides departure Constitution South The everyone has the right to an environment that by stating Africa management in South everyone has the right to have the is not harmful to their well-being; and that that through generations for the benefit of future and protected present environment (section 24). measures and other legislative reasonable of spheres government work all three that ofAfrica requires Constitution South The Heritage Resources National The heritage. and cultural our natural together to protect involving to heritage management, approach an integrated Act also aims to promote local government. and provincial national, the may affect policies and by-laws that when formulating Town, City of The Cape these policies and by-laws comply that must ensure heritage ofcultural the city, Act and the National of Heritage Resources both the National with the requirements Environmental Management Act. WHERE CAN YOU FIND OUR HERITAGE RESOURCES?

The Environmental Management Department maintains the City of Cape Town’s Heritage Database. The identification of heritage resources (grading) is ongoing. The Heritage Database is updated on a regular basis to reflect numerous alterations and additions to heritage buildings that may affect the heritage significance of these resources. The demolitions of heritage resources are also noted on the database.

The Heritage Database currently has over 40 000 entries of which more than half are Grade III heritage resources worthy of conservation. The Heritage Database also shows the Grade I and Grade II heritage sites managed by SAHRA and HWC, respectively. The City of Cape Town has been identifying heritage resources for conservation since well before 1977.

The Heritage Database also shows the extent of the City’s Heritage Protection Overlay zones. Each of these areas have a unique history that contributes to the specific character of the particular area. The Heritage Protection Overlay zones were known as the Urban Conservation Areas in the City’s previous Zoning Scheme Regulations. These heritage areas are the result of a number of conservation studies commissioned by the City of Cape Town between 1977 and 1994. The City is undertaking a heritage audit of all the buildings and other potential heritage resources within the Cape Town metropolitan area. This heritage audit will take several years to complete and aims to standardise the heritage gradings across the metro.

DID YOU KNOW?

One of the general principles of the National Heritage Resources Act is to promote reconciliation, understanding and respect, and for heritage to contribute towards the development of a unifying South African identity. Most formally protected heritage sites in the City of Cape Town do not represent our rich cultural diversity. One of the challenges that the City faces is to rectify this imbalance. One of the ways in which this imbalance can be redressed is through memorialisation and interpretative signage.

248 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 249 Municipalities such as Green Point, Point, Municipalities such as Green Mowbray, Woodstock, Maitland, and Claremont Rondebosch, in amalgamated were Muizenberg of 1910 to form the Corporation Town. the City of Cape SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART recognising the rich cultural history of history Town; the rich cultural the City ofrecognising Cape Town; within the City of Cape represented and religions all cultures recognising sites and landscapes of significance, historical values, all cultural incorporating and places of in planning and spiritual importance of scenic beauty, areas decision-making; and of heritage management and interpretation protection, the identification, Town. in the City of Cape resources DID YOU DID YOU KNOW? is Town of City The Cape composed of than more 20 former municipalities. took amalgamation first The City ofThe place in 1910. as we know it today, Town, Cape only came into being in 2000. the Heritage view To on the City of Database Map Viewer, Town Cape go to: https://citymaps. capetown.gov.za/EGISViewer/

THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S TOWN’S OF CAPE THE CITY STRATEGY HERITAGE CULTURAL (2017), Strategy Environmental of forms part the City’s Heritage Strategy Cultural The strategy This which is a cornerstone of and heritage management. environmental Act and in terms of obligations Heritage Resources the National outlines the City’s of spheres government in between the three for co-operation the framework provides within the city. heritage resources managing and protecting to ensuring that the City is committed Heritage Strategy, the Cultural Through and enhanced. is protected heritage ofTown the diverse cultural City of the Cape includes: This Check Check Check Check THE MUNICIPAL PLANNING BY-LAW

In June 2015, the City of Cape Town Municipal Planning By-law was published. The Municipal Planning By-law replaced the 2012 City of Cape Town Zoning Scheme Regulations and conforms to the requirements of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act of 2013.

The National Heritage Resources Act requires local authorities to identify areas for heritage protection and to investigate the need to designate these areas as heritage areas at the time of the compilation and/or review of the City’s spatial plan: the Municipal Spatial Development Framework. The City of Cape Town’s heritage areas are indicated on the City’s Heritage Layer on the City of Cape Town Map Viewer. The viewer also shows the new proposed areas that are being investigated for designation as heritage areas.

HERITAGE PROTECTION OVERLAY ZONE

The Heritage Protection Overlay (HPO) zone is the mechanism within the Municipal Planning By-law for managing and protecting heritage resources that are worthy of conservation in terms of the Cultural Heritage Strategy. Individual places, as well as areas, can be designated under the Heritage Protection Overlay.

MANAGEMENT OF HERITAGE RESOURCES

The National Heritage Resources Act protects all buildings older than 60 years, all archaeological and palaeontological sites, as well as graves and burial sites of struggle heroes or people who were victims of political conflict. These general protections require permission from the relevant heritage authority for any alteration, addition, disturbances, removal from its original position and for the demolition or destruction of such heritage resources.

There are also certain types of activities, including construction, which might need a Heritage Impact Assessment, in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, to ensure that heritage is not damaged or negatively affected by such activities.

Within the Heritage Protection Overlay zones, (additional) consent is required from the City of Cape Town to ensure that the heritage character of a place will be conserved and protected for future generations. The City may impose any conditions that it believes to be appropriate to ensure the protection and enhancement of a heritage resource.

250 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 251

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART HERITAGE RESOURCES HERITAGE first of Advice series, The Heritage the introduction an this pamphlet provides to heritage management in South It also describes the different Africa. and gives types of heritage resources be found within the can that examples Town. City of Cape AREAS HERITAGE as Urban proclaimed were 32 areas on the basis of Areas Conservation their special historical and cultural They are significance and character. (or to as heritage areas now referred Overlay zones in Heritage Protection the 2015 Municipal Planning By-law). http://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore and enjoy/ http://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore -resources cape-towns-history-and-heritage/Heritage YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THESE ADVICE PAMPHLETS: PAMPHLETS: ADVICE THESE DOWNLOAD CAN YOU HERITAGE ADVICE PAMPHLETS ADVICE PAMPHLETS HERITAGE very is building and the street between the relationship the In our heritage areas, The City of It is the defining characteristic environment. our built heritage important. provide a series ofAdvice pamphlets that produced eight Heritage Town of Cape and maintain the heritage qualities you conserve that to ensure guidance on how to your home. additions and alterations undertaking when of resources heritage the Heritage within situated for properties targeted specifically are pamphlets These can be applied to any historic home. but or heritage areas, Overlay zones, Protection 2 1 CULTURAL LANDSCAPES & HISTORIC VEGETATION Mature trees, tree-lined avenues and hedges form part of the historic landscape of our city and contribute to the unique sense of place. This pamphlet details the types of cultural landscapes we find in 3 the City of Cape Town and how mature tree plantings contribute to defining the characteristics of those landscapes. The pamphlet also provides guidelines on the sustainable management of our mature trees.

DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR A HERITAGE CONTEXT Heritage areas are a combination of architectural, historical, aesthetic, scientific and social characteristics, which together present a place that is of 4 cultural and/or environmental interest. This pamphlet explains the importance of considering the elements and characteristics of the surrounding heritage environment when contemplating a new home or building in a heritage area.

BOUNDARY ENCLOSURES Walls, fences, hedges and even the sides of buildings contribute to how we experience our neighbourhoods and streets. It is the interface between the house (private realm) and the street (public realm). This pamphlet gives advice 5 on how to approach the addition of boundary walls so that they enhance the heritage qualities of the streetscape and improve the experience of visitors and residents in your neighbourhood.

252 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 253 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART SECURITY security can have a dramatic Improved of on the special character effect historic buildings in heritage areas. suggestions pamphlet provides This and design guides on how to improve while still home, your security at maintaining the heritage value of your home or property. GARAGES & CARPORTS GARAGES are of characters heritage areas The by the streetscape. defined largely need to provide is an increasing There This parking and garages. off-street suggestions and pamphlet provides the design ofguides to assist with a manner in such and garages carports value of the heritage that home your can be retained and the streetscape and even enhanced. ROOFSCAPES Changing the shape or form of your impact on the roof dramatic can have a as ofcharacter individual buildings, changing Even well as the streetscape. can have a much bigger the material one might think. impact than what suggestions pamphlet provides This types ofand guides to help inform what be most would changes to the roofscape for your heritage home. appropriate 8 7 6 STREETSCAPES

A streetscape may consist of similar style and age buildings or a variety of styles and different ages that reflect how the street has densified over time. A house may be situated on the street (e.g. Bo-Kaap, Harfield Village, Wynberg or Langa) or separated from the street by a boundary wall and narrow garden/forecourt (e.g. Woodstock, Maitland Garden Village, Maynard Street, Gardens).

The addition of high boundary walls, carports or garages that are situated between the house and the street is strongly discouraged. The retention of original low boundary walls/ fences and hedges are encouraged. Should additional security be required, a visually permeable barrier behind the original boundary wall is preferable.

INTERPRETATION

Sometimes the heritage significance of a place needs interpretation to highlight the heritage value and significance.

There are several ways in which the City promotes its cultural heritage:

Check Interpretative signage explaining the heritage significance of a place

Check Blue plaques marking heritage places, buildings or events

Check Memorials

As part of the 2010 World Cup Soccer preparations, the City of Cape Town installed several heritage interpretative signs throughout the city. Most of these are located in or near the Green Point Common or along the Fan Walk.

DID YOU KNOW?

The McDonald’s fast food outlet opposite the Green Point Stadium was once the horse racing pavilion. During the Anglo-Boer War, Boer prisoners of war were held on the common before they were sent to St Helena, Ceylon or Bermuda. British soldiers also camped on the common, housed in canvas tents or corrugated iron barracks before being deployed to active duty up north. Why do you think the Boer prisoners of war were sent so far away? Why do you think the British soldiers needed to be accommodated in Cape Town? What was the mode of long distance transport at the end of the 19th century between Europe and Africa?

254 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 255 telling how the Green Point Point telling how the Green SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART An extract from the interpretative signage the interpretative from An extract Common was used as a prisoner of war camp during the Anglo-Boer War War was used as a prisoner ofAnglo-Boer Common war camp during the by one of map was drawn the prisoners and is curated This of 1899–1902. ofAfrica. Library the National South at Compare the hand-drawn map with this photograph taken by Mr Arthur Arthur by Mr taken map with this photograph the hand-drawn Compare Elliot during the same period. In 2015, the City launched its blue plaque heritage place markers. Small blue ceramic tiles mark places of interest ranging from the historical high-water mark (Strand Street) to the slave memorial on Church Square commemorating the 1808 slave revolt.

Blue plaque: The City of Cape Town heritage place marker. See if you can spot one of these markers when visiting the city.

The recent history of the city is marked with conflict, and the presentation of the struggle history is particularly challenging. The sites are often associated with violence and crimes against humanity. Because many of the struggle sites mark events rather than buildings or spaces, the City undertook to erect memorials on the sites closest to where these events took place.

The Waterwitch Williams Memorial in Athlone was unveiled in 2005. The memorial commemorates Coline Williams and Robert Waterwitch, members of Umkhonto weSizwe. They died when the limpet bomb that they planned to plant opposite the Athlone Magistrate’s Court detonated prematurely.

256 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

Father’s Father’s mother’s father (Great- grandpa) 257

Father’s mother Father’s (Granny) Father’s Father’s mother’s mother (Great- grandma)

Father Father father’s father (Great- grandpa)

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART PATERNAL LINE PATERNAL Father (Dad) father Father’s (Grandpa) (Great- grandma) Father’s Father’s father’s mother

YOU (Mom) (Great- mother Mother (Granny) mother’s mother’s Mother’s Mother’s grandma)

Mother’s mother Mother’s father (Great- MATERNAL LINE MATERNAL mother’s mother’s Mother’s Mother’s grandpa)

(Great- father’s father’s mother Mother’s Mother’s grandma) (Grandpa)

Mother’s father Mother’s father (Great- father’s father’s Mother’s Mother’s grandpa) Our families are at the foundation of our cultural of the foundation at our cultural Our families are for the study of is the word Genealogy one’s heritage. See if a simple family tree you can complete family tree. branch Below will be your immediate for your family. it to include your can expand You of the family tree. aunts and uncles. your cousins, and sisters, brothers IN YOUR HOME IN YOUR TREE FAMILY YOUR Heritage is more than just old buildings, monuments and museums. Our heritage is our heritage is our Our monuments and museums. than just old buildings, Heritage is more by heritage surrounded are We and future. present sense ofunique identity and place: past, school? and at home your heritage at How can you explore Did you know that? every day. EXPLORING HERITAGE HERITAGE EXPLORING OR HOME YOUR IN NEIGHBOURHOOD You can expand your family tree to include more personal details about the people on your tree:

THIS IS ME Name:

Birthday:

I was born in (town) at (time)

I have brothers and sisters

I live at (address) (town)

My hobbies are:

When I grow up I want to be:

THIS IS MY FATHER Name:

Birthday:

He was born in (town) at (time)

He has brothers and sisters

He lives at (address) (town)

His hobbies are:

He worked as: (at)

THIS IS MY MOTHER Name:

Birthday:

She was born in (town) at (time)

She has brothers and sisters

She lives at (address) (town)

Her hobbies are:

She worked as: (at)

258 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 259 sisters sisters (town) at (time) at (town) at (time) at SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART (aged) (aged) (at) (at) (at) (at) brothers and brothers brothers and brothers Do you notice that the further back in time one goes, the less information there there the less information back in time one goes, the further Do you notice that is about the people in your family tree? Did you need to talk to the older members of your family to find out about their aunts and uncles? mothers and fathers, they and where your family originated in where you see any patterns Can live now? of to map the movement you use your family tree your family in time Can and space? can those of to your family tree the people in your class, When you compare you notice any similarities or differences? tell you about the history of can your family tree your family and the What ofeffects local and world politics?

She grew up at (address) (address) up at She grew Questions to explore: Check Check Check Check Check Check Her hobbies are: Her hobbies are: as: She worked on (date): Died Birthday: Birthday: She was born in (town) She has THIS IS MY GRANDMOTHER THIS IS MY Name: His hobbies are: His hobbies are: as: He worked on (date): Died Name: Birthday: He was born in (town) He has THIS IS MY GRANDFATHER MY THIS IS He grew up at (address) (address) up at He grew TRADITIONS (OR LIVING HERITAGE)

Our traditions within our house and home define who we are and they are part of our living heritage. Often the practice of our living heritage involves the use of objects (or artefacts) that play an important role, either because of their symbolic meaning within our traditions or because they are very old and belonged to people who are important in our family or community.

In your home, what are the traditions that you can think of? They can be something only your family does, or it can be part of a community tradition. Below are examples of two girls’ living histories.

JOHANNA’S LIVING HISTORY:

When it is my turn to host the Shabbat with my family, we use the dinner service that belonged to my grandmother. She was born in Riga, Latvia, and came to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with her aunt and uncle and their five daughters in the early 1900s. She married my grandfather, who was from Lithuania, in 1903. The candlesticks passed on from The story is that my grandfather mother to daughter and came to me was meant to marry one of the through my aunt who never married. cousins, but he fell in love with I am the oldest daughter in that my grandmother and married her branch of the family. The kiddish instead. The family moved to Cape cup, which holds the wine for the Town in 1928. The candlesticks traditional Shabbat blessing that that are present at every Shabbat concludes the prayer recited before belonged to my (paternal) great- the Friday night meal, was a wedding grandmother. She, together with her present to my parents. Both branches husband and their young son, came of my family left Eastern Europe to to South Africa in about 1890. escape the pogroms.

Granny’s dinner service: Old Bow Kakiyemon is a British ceramic produced by Wood & Sons. The particular pattern was produced between 1922 and 1929.

260 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 261 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART All the cut leaves are then placed then placed are leaves All the cut or a sheet oftogether in a container added with oils and rosewater linen, to bless the prayers and further is known as blessing This occasion. then are scented leaves The “oeker”. and distributed put into small bags birthday the attend to those that I have the mosque. at celebration board cutting a special wooden made for my my grandfather that and (oemie Fatima), grandmother has been handed down to me that is my rampies This by my mother. my daughter will One day, board. board. also use my rampies SHAMILA’S LIVING LIVING SHAMILA’S HISTORY: we have a unique Town, In Cape of way of the birth celebrating Muhammad (alayhi our Prophet the few days before A s-salām). and the we (the women birthday, the at young girls) get together mosques to perform the “rampies cut lemon and other citrus We sny”. fine on a wooden board leaves using scissors and a sharp knife, of in phrases praise while reciting Muhammad honour of our Prophet (alayhi s-salām). Granny was born in 1923 and her family lived in was born in 1923 and her family lived in Granny board: rampies Fatima’s Granny the older people use for granny.) the word (Oemie is Wynberg. Questions to explore:

Check Do cultural objects have monetary value?

Check Do cultural practices always have objects that are curated and looked after by families or communities?

Check What traditions can you think of that don’t have objects associated with them?

Check Do the objects have cultural value without the association with the traditional practice?

Check Are cultural objects always associated with religious practices?

Check If you were to imagine thousands of years into the future, an explorer from another planet comes to your room. What would they be able to tell about you and your family?

YOUR NEIGH­BOUR­HOOD

The neighbourhood that we live in has been shaped and formed over time by what we as humans have done to the natural environment. Before your house was built, what was the site? Before one starts researching your neighbourhood, you need a schematic (rough map) of your neighbourhood. Indicate the main access routes. Do they lead to a church, shopping mall or something else? Are there any natural watercourses or sources in or near your neighbourhood? Include all the significant landmarks on your map.

Sketch plan of Redhill drawn by Martin West (1967): Your sketch plan may look something like this.

Now that you have your base map, what sources of information are available to you to build up a picture of the historical evolution of your neighbourhood?

262 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 263 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Maps provide a snapshot of the landscape 1806: Maps provide what Military survey Salt River, the older houses are you where They show a specific point in time. at like looked network with the historical road the current and you may be able to compare situated on any ofThere neighbourhood might not be shown the old maps: Your network. road your neighbourhood is today! on the site where may have been a farm or a plantation The earliest aerial photograph of the city dates to 1926. of aerial photograph 1926. to earliest the city dates The 1926 aerial photography: a hot from Frenchman by a was taken photograph” “aerial the first Did you know that made in the development of advances were huge WWI, air balloon in 1858? During mostly with the aim of for bombing! identifying targets aerial photography, Thom survey, 1898: Maps show varying levels of detail. This survey even tells you what some of the buildings were used for. Not all maps are this detailed.

Questions to explore:

Check How does the topography of the landscape influence where neighbourhoods or towns develop?

Check Do all maps show the same information?

Check Do you think one map is enough to show change through time?

Check What types of information do you think maps can or can’t tell you?

EXPLORING YOUR HOUSE

The neighbourhood that you live in today is part of the story of the evolution and growth of the city. Your house forms part of that story, whether it is 100 years old or 10 years old. The National Heritage Resources Act identifies buildings older than 60 years as potential heritage resources. However, not all buildings older than 60 years are heritage buildings. And sometimes, buildings younger than 60 years are so special in terms of their cultural importance, or architectural design, that they are considered to be worthy of conservation for future generations.

The National Heritage Resources Act outlines characteristics or criteria by which a heritage resource can be assessed as having heritage significance. These criteria are meant to cover all different types of heritage resources and only some of them will be applicable to the built environment.

264 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 265 NO YES history of SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART technical achievement? or technical achievement? understanding of heritage? our cultural that are valued by your community by your community valued are qualities that aspects of South Africa’s aspects ofAfrica’s or endangered South rare that is important in the history in the history is important that or organisation group ? or spiritual reasons cultural people, Have any famous (Has it won any awards?) group between your house and a specific community or an association Is there of people for social, your house in the past? met at or regularly visited, ofAfrica lived at, South link between your house and the history of an association slavery inIs there South Africa? link between your house and the struggle an association Is there South Africa? Is your house a landmark in your neighbourhood? Is your house older than 60 years? of of community or as part in the a pattern Is your house important history? South Africa’s uncommon, Does it illustrate history? cultural style or construction of architectural a particular Is your house representative can contribute to a better method that settlement a typical style, of example an architectural Is it a good representative planting patterns? or characteristic particular and/or demonstrate pattern aesthetic Does your house exhibit of or a specific group people? of degree a high creative Does your house present QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER TO QUESTIONS NOMINATING A SITE FOR PROTECTION SITE FOR A NOMINATING for you want to nominate that any heritage sites in your neighbourhood there Are and conservation? formal protection you were your family and the families in your neighbourhood, When you explored out you found Perhaps about the social history oflearning your neighbourhood. and whether they stayed in one place from your family originated about where people that you learnt And perhaps a lot. or whether they moved around forever, could be economic, These one place to another for a variety ofmove from reasons. are buildings or spaces that places, may also have discovered You political or social. heritage reasons. to your community for cultural very important Let’s find out whether your house is protected by the National Heritage Resources Act. Act. Resources Heritage National by the house is protected out whether your find Let’s of each consider Please or no. and then tick yes these questions If you know about a place that you think is a heritage resource that needs to be conserved for present and future generations, provide us with feedback on the following questions and send it to [email protected]:

Check Place or site (What is it? A dwelling? Community hall? Park? Square?)

Check Address/location of the site

Check Description of what makes it of heritage importance to you or your community

Check Your name/ the name of your organisation

Check Your/your organisation’s contact details

Check Photographs and as much additional information as you have available

YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR HERITAGE, SO MAKE SURE IT IS PROTECTED.

266 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 267

20–25% of landfill material 20–25% of landfill material is construction waste: of conservation and/or The of adaptive reuse historical the buildings reduces on landfill sites. burden Investing in local economy: of adaptive reuse The historical buildings generates skilled jobs and more more jobs than a new build of a adaptive reuse The similar size. of historical buildings sees 60–90% of the cost of the going to labour. renovation Use of local labour ensures money stays within the that local economy. trees: mature Retaining Many of our older neighbourhoods have established and mature adaptive reuse The trees. of historical buildings of the retention facilitates Urban trees trees. mature sinks urban heat mitigate and assist with carbon sequestration.

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART

Check Check Check

The adaptive reuse of adaptive reuse The historical buildings uses less water considerably than during reconstruction a new build of a similar demands Increasing size. are resources on water as the demand anticipated for additional housing and increases. urbanisation The adaptive reuse of adaptive reuse The historical buildings versus a new build of a similar size the use reduces drastically of cement/concrete. for a 10–80 years It takes building to new “green” up for the negative make change impacts of climate its construction. 9% of industrial global is used in withdrawal water ofthe production concrete: Nearly 9% ofNearly the global carbon anthropogenic emissions are dioxide by cement/ produced production: concrete

Check A SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE SUSTAINABILITY A HERITAGE CONSERVATION IS IS CONSERVATION HERITAGE of of the character conservation not only preserves historical buildings The it also contributes identity, our cultural and reinforces our neighbourhoods and change mitigation the City achieve its climate significantly in helping sustainability goals. Check CONTACTS AND RESOURCES HERITAGE AUTHORITIES

CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE AT

City of Cape Town: Environmental The department within the Cape Environment and Heritage Management Department (EMD), Town municipality responsible for Resources Information Centre Environment and Heritage managing local heritage resources (EHRIC) Management Branch 5th floor, 44 Wale Street, Cape Town, 8001 E-mail: [email protected] Contact number: 021 487 2038 Website: www.capetown.gov. za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/ cape-towns-history-and-heritage/ Heritage-resources/Heritage- information-and-resources

Heritage Western Cape (HWC) The provincial heritage resources 3rd floor, Protea Assurance authority. Its jurisdiction extends to Building, Greenmarket Square, the Western Cape province Cape Town, 8000 E-mail: ceoheritage@westerncape. gov.za Contact number: 021 483 9598 Website: www.westerncape.gov. za/public-entity/heritage-western- cape

South African Heritage Resources The national heritage resources 111 Harrington Street, Cape Town, Agency (SAHRA) authority 8001 E-mail: [email protected] Contact number: 021 462 4502 Website: www.sahra.org.za/

268 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 269 https://castleofgoodhope.co.za/visitor-info/ https://castleofgoodhope.co.za/visitor-info/ http://communityhouse.org.za https://heritage.org.za/ www.districtsix.co.za/index.php 021 762 1622 www.iziko.org.za/museums/bo-kaap-museum www.iziko.org.za/museums/groot-constantia www.iziko.org.za/museums/koopmans-de-wet- house www.iziko.org.za/museums/maritime-centre www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-museum www.iziko.org.za/museums/rust-en-vreugd MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE MORE INFORMATION SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Darling Street, Cape Town Cape Darling Street, surviving military oldest The 1660. It was built around fortification. of the “seat authority” It remained during the Dutch period and under the British occupations 41 Salt River Road, Salt River 41 Salt River Road, with Living heritage site associated struggle. unions and liberation trade the It continues to work towards of improvement working class communities Town Cape Street, Victoria 19 Queen Town ofCape Houses the offices the Heritage Trust Town Cape Street, Buitenkant 25A Place of with memory associated the people of District Six who were of as a result the removed forcibly Act Areas Group Town Cape Wynberg, Aliwal Road, 9 Town Cape Street, Wale Constantia Originally owned by Governor this museum Simon van der Stel, the lifestyle of an represents complex 18th-century elite wine farmstead Town Cape Street, Strand Waterfront, Victoria Alfred and maritime museum off entrance Garden, Company’s Queen Victoria Street Houses the Street. 78 Buitenkant historical collection of William Fehr colours ofwater the Cape DESCRIPTION CONTACT/RESOURCE ofCastle Good Hope Community House Community Centre Visitors’ Garden Company’s District Six Museum for Museum – Centre Education Education Conservation Museum Museums: Bo-Kaap Iziko Constantia Museums: Groot Iziko Wet de Museums: Koopmans Iziko House Museums: Maritime Centre Iziko History Museums: Natural Iziko Museum Vreugd en Museums: Rust Iziko Cape Town has a growing heritage tourism industry. You can explore Cape Town’s Town’s Cape can explore You heritage tourism industry. has a growing Town Cape museums many are There of tour or on your own. part heritage either as an organised than those listed here. far more Town, the City of across Cape centres and cultural on the website of complete list may be found Museums African more the South A www.samuseums.co.za/museums Association: MUSEUMS AND VISITORS’ AND VISITORS’ MUSEUMS CENTRES CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT

Iziko Museums: Slave Lodge Cnr Adderley and Wale Street, www.iziko.org.za/museums/slave-lodge Cape Town Originally built to house the slaves of the VOC, this building was refurbished as the Colonial Offices in 1810

Langa Pass Museum One of the original buildings in https://responsiblecapetown.co.za/celebrating- the administrative historical core of cape-towns-cultural-heritage Langa. Now serves as a museum and a community centre

Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum Hostel 33 is a site museum situated http://lwandle.com/ in one of the last remaining migrant labour hostels for single men

Mamre historical werf A site museum of the second-oldest www.westcoastway.co.za/mamre-mission- Moravian mission station in South station/ Africa

Old Granary interpretative display 11 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city- Brief history of the building and the initiatives/environmental-resource-management/ people associated with it restoration-of-the-old-granary-building

Prestwich Memorial Visitors’ Somerset Road, Cape Town www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20 Centre Memorial to the people buried in communities/Heritage-and-the-community/ the Green Point Burial area. Specific Heritage-sites-and-buildings/Museums- reference to the paupers’ burial grounds landmarks-and-heritage-sites and the informal burial grounds associated with the 18th-century small pox epidemics experienced by the people of Cape Town

Robben Island Museum Iconic island in the history of www.robben-island.org.za/ Cape Town having served as a quarry, leper colony and most recently as the high-security prison in which Nelson Mandela and other ANC stalwarts were imprisoned during the apartheid era

SA Jewish Museum – and 88 Hatfield Road, Gardens www.sajewishmuseum.org.za/ Holocaust and Genocide Centre Situated behind the old Synagogue in the http://ctholocaust.co.za/ Company’s Garden. History of the Jewish diaspora, specifically in South Africa

Simon’s Town Museum Housed in “The Residency”, built www.simonstown.com/museum/index.html around 1777 as the winter residence of the Governor at the Cape during the Dutch period. The Phoenix Project is one of the major social history projects undertaken by the museum and chronicles the forced removals of Simon’s Town and surrounds, in particular the Redhill community

270 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 271 AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20 and%20enjoy/cape-towns-history- and-heritage/Heritage-sites-and- buildings/Walking-heritage-tours-of- the-city http://footstepstofreedom.co.za/ tours-rates/township-tour/langa- township-tour/ www.westcoastway.co.za/mamre- mission-station/ www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20 and%20enjoy/cape-towns-history- and-heritage/Heritage-sites-and- buildings/Walking-heritage-tours-of- the-city www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20 and%20enjoy/cape-towns-history- and-heritage/Heritage-sites-and- buildings/Walking-heritage-tours-of- the-city SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Self-guided Self-guided to use one of Recommended the operators established township tour Self-guided Self-guided Self-guided DESCRIPTION Company’s Garden Company’s Langa Tour Heritage Heritage Walk Mamre Tour Memorial Walking Prestwich Slave Walk CONTACT/RESOURCE HERITAGE TOURS HERITAGE USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR EXPLORING HERITAGE

CONTACT/RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE AT

Aerial photography Digital copies of historical and current • National Geo-Spatial Information aerial photography Van der Sterr Building, Rhodes Ave, Mowbray Tel: 021 658 4402 Digital copies of historical and current • City of Cape Town: Map kiosk aerial photography. There may be a Keller House, 7th floor, 121 Loop cost involved for prints Street, Cape Town Tel: 021 487 2711 [email protected]

Historical maps and historical Historical maps dating back to 1600s • Western Cape Archives and photography and to the early 20th century Records Service 72 Roeland Street, Cape Town Tel: 021 466 8100 www.national.archives.gov.za • City of Cape Town: Environment Special collections of historical and Heritage Resources photography including Elliot Information Centre (EHRIC) collection, Ravenscroft, and other 5th floor, 44 Wale Street [email protected] Historical maps specifically focusing on the Cape Town municipality • National Geo-Spatial Information Van der Sterr Building, Rhodes Some historical imagery, but not Ave, Mowbray easily accessible Tel: 021 658 4402 1:50 000 topographical maps and • National Library of South Africa 1:10 000 orthophoto maps 5 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Various historical maps and Town photographs accessible through Tel: 021 424 6320 Special Collections www.nlsa.ac.za

Historical records and published Public and personal records are • Western Cape Archives and media housed at the archives. Researching Records Service these documents are very time- 72 Roeland Street, Cape Town consuming, so if you are planning on Tel: 021 466 8100 doing research at the archives, make www.national.archives.gov.za sure you allow yourself several days! Published books, pamphlets, and • National Library of South Africa newspapers can be explored at this 5 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town library. It also has a collection of old Tel: 021 424 6320 maps and photos www.nlsa.ac.za Open on appointment only, this • City of Cape Town: Environment resource centre houses the remains and Heritage Resources of the old Municipal Reference Information Centre (EHRIC) Library that closed down in the early 5th floor, 44 Wale Street 2000s. In addition to reports and Willem.Hutten@capetown. gov.za publications, this resource centre or [email protected] also has the old City of Cape Town Mayoral minutes and the annual reports of the Medical Officer of Health, the City Engineer and the City’s Electrical Engineers

272 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE

273 www.vassa.org.za www.theheritageportal.co.za www.theheritageportal.co.za https://cifa.org.za/cia/ heritage/ www.simonvdstel.org/ www.heritage.org.za/home/ www.heritage.org.za/home/ AVAILABLE AT AVAILABLE SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Non-profit volunteer organisation volunteer organisation Non-profit in vernacular with a specialist interest buildings ofAfrica. South Has a useful section on how to do and using the archives research deeds office Volunteer news and information news and information Volunteer African for the South platform heritage sector Professional body established in in body established Professional and to the debate It contributes 1899. discussion on heritage conservation in the City ofand promotion Cape Town Non-profit organisation promoting promoting organisation Non-profit ofAfrica’s the conservation South heritage national Non-profit organisation concerned concerned organisation Non-profit with the enhancement of the landscape of and cultural architecture Town Cape DESCRIPTION Vernacular Architecture Society of Architecture Vernacular South Africa The Heritage Portal of SA Heritage Portal The The Cape Institute for Architecture Institute for Cape The Simon van der Stel Foundation Simon van der Stel (also known as the Heritage ofAfrica) Association South Cape Town Heritage Trust Town Cape CONTACT/RESOURCE www.hwc.org.za/conservation-bodies www.hwc.org.za/conservation-bodies and bodies heritage conservation a few independent are there In addition, also have living museums Several conservation. focus on heritage that associations list of (see the heritage projects museums on page 269 and 270). CONSERVATION ORGANISATIONS ORGANISATIONS CONSERVATION IN TOWN CAPE is crucial to concerning our environment matters in participation Community Act requires Heritage Resources National The decision-making. transparent ensure is in keeping This parties. and affected with communities and interested consultation rights to our which promotes Act, Justice ofAdministrative with the Promotion fair. and procedurally reasonable is lawful, that action administrative Bodies: of a database maintains Conservation Community Cape Western Heritage GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION cohesion The bond or ‘glue’ that holds a society together, often through common values, beliefs and behaviours. resilience The ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune.

WATER alternative water A water source other than municipal supply, reducing people’s reliance on Cape Town’s drinking water for their non-drinking needs. Examples include harvested rainwater, greywater and boreholes, wellpoints and treated effluent. aquifer An underground layer of water-bearing rock. greywater The wastewater generated in households or office buildings from streams without faecal contamination, which means all streams except for the wastewater from toilets. groundwater The water beneath the Earth’s surface in soil pore spaces and the fractures of rock formations. pathogen A bacterium, virus or other micro-organism that can cause disease. permeable surface A surface that allows water to trickle through into the soil to filter out pollutants and recharge the water table. rainwater harvesting The collection of water from surfaces on which rain fails, and subsequently storing it for later use. water demand management A management approach that aims to conserve water by influencing demand, applying selective incentives to promote efficient water use. water footprint The amount of fresh water utilised to produce or supply the goods and services used by a particular person or group.

274 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 275 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART A measure of how much carbon dioxide, of how much carbon dioxide, measure A gases we greenhouse methane and other lifestyles. our through create in use for as long and materials goods Keeping and maximum value, extracting as possible, the end them at and regenerating recovering of or incineration. their life to minimise disposal types of disposal of waste in one The different ofarea a landfill. electrical being discarded waste, Electronic appliances. devices and and electronic responsibility a manufacturer’s notion that The is once the product does not end for a product its design to the end of from but extends sold, its life and beyond. from distance food is transported The the consumer, until it reaches production being one of the factors determining the impact ofenvironmental food. distribution and consumption production, The human of improve goods and services that well-being in the long term without exposing risk or to environmental generations future ecological scarcity. in the earth’s trapped are Gases that in and resulting warming the earth atmosphere, change. climate The space available on a landfill site. space The vegetable oil, from produced fuel An alternative tallow and used cooking oil. animal oil or fats, economy footprint circular co-disposal e-waste responsibility producer extended food miles economy green gas greenhouse airspace biodiesel carbon WASTE integrated waste management A comprehensive approach to waste, including, in this order, waste minimisation and prevention, reuse, recycling, energy capture, treatment and disposal. linear economy A system running straight from extraction to disposal, with no attempt to reuse or recycle. priority waste Waste types particularly dangerous to humans, hazardous to the environment, and difficult to manage. product stewardship The idea that all parties who are involved in producing, selling or using a product should take responsibility for the product’s full environmental and economic impact. sanitary landfilling The spreading, compacting and covering of waste on a landfill site with continuous layers of soil on a daily basis to prevent odours, flies and other insects and the spreading of disease. separation at source The separation of waste and recyclable items at home or wherever else they are generated. thermal treatment Incineration and other high-temperature treatments that turn waste into ash, flue gas and heat. zero-waste philosophy Pursuing the complete elimination or avoidance of waste.

ENVIRONMENT aquaculture The farming of water organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and plants in controlled environments. biodiversity The variety and variability of life on Earth, typically at the genetic, species and ecosystem level. biodiversity hotspot A biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human habitation. bycatch In the fishing industry, species that are caught unintentionally while catching certain target species.

276 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 277 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART Anything that absorbs more carbon from the the from carbon absorbs more that Anything than it emits. atmosphere in pots or other plants exclusively Growing ofcontainers instead them in the planting ground. to join new their troops leave Animals that the as is especially common among groups, Peninsula. the Cape chacma baboon on geographic to a or exclusive Species restricted with “endemism” else, nowhere occurring area, of to the occurrence such species. referring outside the Cape plant species from A not harm the does but that Floristic Kingdom, with indigenous trees or compete environment or plants. region. animal life in a particular The occurring or indigenous the naturally Generally, a specific or at plant life occurring in a region time. system ofA and interdependent interlocking food chains. Seeds of has been modified the DNA which to using genetic engineering methods introduce a new trait does not that to the plant in the species. occur naturally help that Decent employment opportunities whether the environment, or restore preserve sectors such as manufacturing and in traditional sectors green emerging or new, construction, efficiency. and energy energy such as renewable seeds of is grown The an old plant cultivar that and farmers. and maintained by gardeners by cross-pollinating produced are Seeds that commonly used in home plants and are gardening.

container gardening/planting dispersing animal endemic species exotic fauna flora food web genetically modified seeds jobs green heirloom seeds hybrid seeds carbon sink indigenous A species that occurs naturally in an area and has not been introduced by humans either accidentally or intentionally. invasive species Any species of which the establishment and spread outside its natural distribution range threatens ecosystems, habitats or other species, or has demonstrable potential to threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species, and may result in harm to the economy, environment or human health. microclimate The atmospheric conditions of a very small and restricted area, especially where this differs from the larger, surrounding area. microplastics Very small pieces of plastic – generally less than 5 mm in length – that are present in various products, from cosmetics to synthetic clothing, plastic bags and bottles, and that pollute the environment. purse seine fishing A type of fishing that uses huge nets (seines) to catch huge schools of fish, in many instances catching many different types of sea animals in the process. sustainable livelihoods A means of living that can cope with stresses and shocks, and maintain its capabilities, without weakening the natural resource base. water table An underground level at which the soil and gravel are completely saturated (drenched) with water.

ENERGY acid rain Rainfall made so acidic by industrial activity and pollution that it causes environmental harm. alternating current An electric current that reverses its direction many times a second at regular intervals. block/step tariff A tariff type that charges customers a different price depending on how much electricity they have used.

278 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 279 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART A layer of air pollution containing particles layer ofA particles air pollution containing absorb and scatter or dust that such as soot appear therefore, sunlight and, incoming cloud”. brown Also called “atmospheric brown. carbon emissions where a state Having reached balanced out by carbon savings are generated elsewhere. or displacement of loss The land along the currents, action ofcoastline due to the waves, tides or storm impact. through water systems pass potable Direct directly there, from the thermal collector and, showerhead, (e.g. application to the desired a a fluid in systems circulate Indirect etc.). tap, thermal collector between the rooftop circuit and this warms the exchanger, and a heat potable water. assigned by the rating An energy-efficiency Energy organisation United States-based of which tests the efficiency appliances Star, of energy-efficient in the interests promoting technology. bodies plants installed on water Solar energy or ponds. such as lakes of process hydraulic controversial The which entails drilling down into fracturing, water a high-pressure and directing the earth the to release rock the underground at mixture shale gas inside. warmth in the Earth’s of trapping the sun’s The which warms the Earth lower atmosphere, it would above what surface to a temperature be without this atmosphere. slow powerless and portable Eco-friendly, allowing food to heat, retain that cookers once continue cooking off the stove plate to the boil. brought carbon neutral coastal erosion heating solar water vs indirect direct rating Star Energy solar floating fracking effect greenhouse Hot Box/Wonderbag brown haze brown Paris Agreement An agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation and finance, signed in Paris in 2016. passive solar design Applying simple design principles to a new building in order to cut down on lighting, heating and cooling needs from the outset. power purchase agreement A contract between an electricity generator and a prospective electricity buyer. precipitation Any product of the condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere, including drizzle, rain, snow and hail. pumped storage A way of storing the energy generated by water flow, or hydroelectrical energy. When energy demand is low, water is pumped from a lower-level reservoir to a higher-level one. When demand is high, water is released back into the lower reservoir through a turbine, which generates electricity. retrofit In terms of energy, the addition of new technology or features to older systems to improve energy efficiency. small-scale embedded generation Smaller power generation facilities at residential, commercial or industrial sites, generating under 1 MW, including for own consumption. temperature inversion A layer of the atmosphere where the temperature decrease with height is much less than normal. terawatt-years A measurement of energy equivalence to understand energy consumption on the Earth. One terawatt-year (TWy) is equal to 8 766 terawatt-hours of energy. volatile organic compounds Organic (carbon-containing) substances that readily evaporate into the atmosphere at room temperature and contribute to smog production and certain health problems.

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281 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART carbon dioxide Wildflowers and Endangered Custodians of Rare Trust Environmental Education Town Cape childhood development centre early response detection and rapid early responsibility producer extended E-waste Association of South Africa basic electricity free working programme flexible Cape Heritage Western ribbon box inverted of Union for Conservation Nature International Exchange Waste Integrated Management Plan Waste Integrated Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan Transport Integrated Comprehensive municipality Town the Cape coastal management line Management Programme Coastal gas natural compressed alternating current alternating transit bus rapid Group Leadership C40 Cities Climate agency conservation nature Cape Western business district central chlorofluorocarbons lamp compact fluorescent water

methane 2 4

O 2 HWC CREW CTEET ECDC EDRR EPR eWASA FBE FWP H Hz hertz IBR IUCN IWMP IWEX CITP Town) City (of Cape CML CMP CNG CO ABBREVIATIONS AC BRT C40 CapeNature CBD CFCs CFL CH J joule

JASWIC Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Service Installation Components kW kilowatt kWh kilowatt-hour

LBSAP Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

LED light-emitting diode

LNG liquefied natural gas

LPG liquid petroleum gas

MJ megajoule

MRF materials recovery facility

MW megawatt

N2O nitrous oxide NEM:WA National Environmental Management: Water Act

NEM:BA National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act

NGO non-governmental organisation

NHRA National Heritage Resources Act

NPO non-profit organisation

NSRI National Sea Rescue Institute

ORASA Organics Recycling Association of South Africa

PAMSA Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa

PE-HD high-density polyethylene

PE-LD low-density polyethylene

PET polyethylene terephthalate

PETCO PET Plastic Recycling Company of South Africa

Polyco Polyolefin Responsibility Organisation

PP polypropylene

PPA power purchase agreement

PS polystyrene

PTI public transport interchange

PV photovoltaic

PVC polyvinyl chloride

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283

SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART refuse transfer station transfer refuse of Bureau Standards African South South African E-waste Alliance South African Agency Heritage Resources Institute Biodiversity National African South and Oceanic Network for Coastal African South Research Parks National African South Standards African National South Initiative African Sustainable Seafood Southern Association South African Vinyls Sustainable Development Goals small-scale embedded generation Company Glass Recycling The Centre Information Transport development transit-oriented compound organic volatile Services Wildfire Volunteer supply system water Cape Western Society of SouthWildlife and Environment Programme Industrial Symbiosis Cape Western for Nature Wide Fund World Recycling Oil Saves the Environment Foundation the Environment Oil Saves Recycling Foundation

watt Africa WISP SABS SAEWA SAHRA SANBI SANCOR SANParks SANS SASSI SAVA SDG SSEG TGRC TIC TOD VOC VWS W WCWSS WESSA WWF RTS ROSE NOTES

284 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE 285 SMART LIVING HANDBOOK LIVING SMART 286 CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER WASTE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT ENERGY HERITAGE w ww.capetown.gov.za