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State of the Environment

 About the CMA
Waste  
ISSUE:  The transport and disposal of hazardous wastes
Issue statement
Hazardous wastes are collected and disposed of at two landfill sites at Vissershok. A key consideration is the safe transport and disposal of hazardous wastes.

 
What pressures are causing changes in the environment?
Urbanisation and urban growth in conjunction with increasing industrial and commercial economic development has given rise to an increase in volumes of all types of waste.

Increasing scarcity of land suitable for landfill sites compounded by conflict with other land uses.

Generation of radio active, nuclear waste from the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station requiring specialised transportation and storage at a site in the Northern Cape Province.

There is an increase in the disposal of out-dated electronic equipment containing high concentrations of heavy metals.

Occurrence of toxic algal blooms in vleis such as Wildevoëlvlei can involve dredging and transporting of toxic materials.

 
What is the state of the environment?
There are two hazardous waste sites in the CMA, one privately operated and the other run by the CMC with a collective remaining air space of 13 million m3. These facilities have lifespans reaching to the year 2010 and 2027 respectively.

Low-level and intermediate-level nuclear waste generated by Koeberg Nuclear Power Station amount to 1560m3 per annum. This is stored at Koeberg.

It is estimated that between 1 and 2% of domestic waste is hazardous.

 
Year One Indicators
The following indicators are monitored by:

The Directorate: Water and Waste, CMC:

  • Space available in hazardous waste disposal facilities.

Eskom:

  • Amount of nuclear waste generated by Koeberg.

See a summary of all Indicators on this website

 
What responses are we giving to the problem?
The following responses are underway by the CMC:
  • An Integrated Waste Management Project is being undertaken in support of the National Waste Management Strategy. A Solid Waste Feasibility Study is currently underway.
  • The first Cape Metropolitan Festival of the Environment was hosted to raise awareness about issues such as waste management.

 
What can you do about it?
  • Do not dispose of empty chemical containers or paint tins together with your domestic waste and re-use such containers wherever possible and safe. Return containers containing hazardous substances to the suppliers or manufacturers for re-use or appropriate disposal.
  • Do not pour chemicals or any other hazardous liquids down the drain.
  • Report any incidence of illegal dumping of hazardous waste or spills to your local authority.