The Simon’s Town solid-waste drop-off facility has reopened after being closed for renovations since March last year and it now accepts recyclable waste.
The facility in Blue Waters Close has received a trophy for best drop-off facility in its category. The site’s driveway has been paved and gardens beautified during renovations.
James Williams, of More-Rish4 Projects, is the contractor at the City facility and he also manages the Kommetjie waste drop-off.
He said the site had only been operational for three weeks but many residents had already dropped off recycling.
Reggie Langenhoven, who is responsible for the recycling unit, said he and his colleague, Mandisa Tile, sorted the recycling once it had been dropped off.
There are separate containers for common paper, plastic bottles, number-2 recyclable bottles, clear-plastic bags, mixed-plastic bags, hard plastics, metals and cardboard boxes.
Mr Williams said due to the drought, most suppliers were more lenient about accepting products that had not been rinsed.
He suggests wiping recyclables clean with paper towels instead of washing them.
The facility also takes builder’s rubble, garage waste, paper and cardboard, cans and metal, plastic, e-waste, motor oil, clean garden waste, Tetra pak, glass bottles and polystyrene.
A maximum of three loads of garage waste, builders rubble and clean garden waste can be dropped off per day. There is no limit for recyclables, but organic kitchen waste and hazardous waste is not accepted.
Simon’s Town resident Renate de Stadler said she had used the facility for the past three years and found it clean, neat and tidy and the staff friendly and helpful.
“Recycle, recycle and recycle some more. The staff has it all sorted and it’s really not a big deal to drop your waste off. By supporting them you are supporting the environment,” she said.
During summer the site is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, on Saturdays and public holidays from 8am until 5pm and from 9am until 1pm on Sundays.