Cape Town: The city’s Coastal Management Branch collected more than 2,400 bags of litter from Bantry Bay caves in a four-day operation last week. The department conducted a major clean-up operation at the caves.
The clean-up included a section of the rocky coastline along Victoria Road. The litter collected more than four days filled nearly 2,400 municipal bags. The Coastal Conservation team of the City of Cape Town began with sweeping the area from the northern end of Clifton to the southern end of Bantry Bay on August 19, 2024.
Reportedly, by August 22, 2024, the team collected enough litter to fill 2,356 municipal bags. The team consisted of 15 people who swept the stretch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. over the four days.
City’s Coastal Management Branch coordinated the operation and provided the labour in partnership with the Shark Spotters and the Coastal Conservation crew.
Following the further assistance came from the Urban Waste Management Directorate that collected the bags at several pick-up points and Law Enforcement officials for ensuring the safety and security of those collecting the litter.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that the clean-up operation was quite challenging given at the rocky and steep terrain, weather and changing tides.
According to Andrews, it was also a mission that got the bags to the collection points from down below where the litter was collected. Mostly, the litter ended up in the area through currents and wave movements, strong north-westerly winds that are synonymous with the winters of Cape Town, beachgoers, and cave dwellers.
Deputy Mayor of Cape Town said, “I want to encourage the visitors and the residents to please use the bins provided or take your litter home with you.”
“We also appreciate the efforts of all those who randomly pick up the litter along the coastline while they are out for walk and enjoying the outdoors,” added Alderman Andrews.
“Keeping Cape Town beautiful and green, and free of litter, is a collective effort of all the citizens,” expressed Eddie Andrews.