Pioneering Material Recovery Facility: A Beacon of Sustainability and Employment

The Coastal Park Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Cape Town is being constructed at an impressive pace, providing improved recycling and job opportunities for the city. The facility will not only reduce the amount of recyclable materials sent to landfills but also boost the local economy by creating new jobs.

Steered by the Urban Waste Management Directorate

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate is leading the construction of the state-of-the-art MRF at the Coastal Park landfill site. The facility will accept co-mingled clean and dry recyclables, which will be sorted and separated for resale and use in the manufacturing of new products. The sophisticated MRF will create a minimum of 100 job opportunities, contributing to the local economy.

Sorting capacity to collect 65 tons of recycled material per day

The primary objective of the ambitious project is to establish the sorting capacity to process 65 tons of recycled material daily. This impressive figure will enable the City to expand its separation-at-source recycling collection program. The lack of sorting capacity has hindered the expansion of recycling services in Cape Town, and the MRF aims to address this issue head-on.

Equipped with cutting-edge mechanical separation technology

The MRF building will be equipped with cutting-edge mechanical separation technology, including a bag splitter, a magnetic separator, screens, conveyors, and baling facilities for various recyclable materials. The facility will include office spaces for City staff and the MRF operator, as well as a training center for education on waste management – a holistic approach to the recycling process.

Provision of a new nine-bay drop-off facility

The Coastal Park MRF will also provide a new formal nine-bay drop-off facility for thousands of households in the vicinity. The facility will accept builder’s rubble, mixed waste, garden waste, and recyclables not processed by the MRF. The drop-off facility will enable waste reclamation to recover more recyclables and reusable items that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill site.

Recognized for its innovative construction methods

The project has already been recognized for its innovative construction methods, and it has been awarded excellence in construction for its preparatory earthworks. Civil services, structural work, roads, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) installations have also been completed on-site, contributing to the project’s stellar reputation.

Ahead of schedule

The Coastal Park MRF is expected to commence operations around mid-November 2024, but the construction is progressing ahead of schedule. This remarkable project exemplifies environmental sustainability, waste management innovation, and economic growth – a shining example of modern urban planning that benefits both citizens and the planet.