Cape Town: Member of the Mayoral Committee for Urban Waste Management – Alderman Grant Twigg joined the Asivikelane organisation for a public awareness event in Barcelona, Nyanga, in honour of the World Environment Day on June 05, 2025.
This year, the City of Cape Town is focusing on keeping the rivers and canals free of waste, as a prominent issue for the city’s waterways. The objective of the event is to raise awareness around responsible waste disposal, recycling and the collective role residents can play in protecting Cape Town’s natural environment with a strong emphasis on plastic pollution in recognition of year 2025 theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.
Considering many of the canals and waterways of the City of Cape Town running through the high-density areas, the population and dumping making its way into the canals is significantly high due to practices of improper waste disposal.
Alderman Twigg said that the World Environment Day reminds them that every action they take, no matter how small, contribute to the health of the planet. The way they manage things has a direct impact on the environment. The event is about helping residents make more informed and sustainable choices, by inspiring them and empowering them with information.
He further added that many residents are also unaware that plastic has significant value, so the event seeks to raise awareness and encourage buy-in to community recycling schemes that can both reduce environmental health risks associated with plastic and support community social development initiatives or even household income.
Twigg stated that, “through World Environment Day, we hope to create greater awareness on plastics and the importance of proper waste disposal by engaging residents of Kanana and New Rest, who live near the Barcelona Canal.”
The event further featured a drama performance including Bingo, as well as an information stand operated by the Urban Waste Management Directorate’s Public Awareness, Communication and Education team.