Recycling collection and material recovery in Cape Town
We collect recyclables across Cape Town and the Helderberg, sort them at our material recovery facilities in Philippi and Woodstock, and send them back into use.
From your bin back into use
We provide recycling collection and material recovery services across Cape Town and the Helderberg region, including Somerset West, Strand, Gordon's Bay and surrounding areas.
Our operations run through two material recovery facilities (MRFs): our own privately owned facility in Philippi, and the Woodstock MRF we run for the City of Cape Town. Recyclables collected from our service areas are received, sorted into their commodity streams and baled, then sold on for reuse. Together our facilities process more than 600,000 kg of recyclable material every month.
Through our integrated collection and recovery operations, we help divert recyclables from landfill and support a more sustainable, circular economy.
How we recycle for you
- Scheduled collection of recyclables
- Onsite sorting at your premises
- Processing at our Philippi and Woodstock MRFs
- Baling and onward sale for reuse
- Recycling reports and certificates on request
- We buy recyclable material from businesses
Materials we recycle
To get the most out of your recyclables, keep them separate from general waste and free from food, oil and other contaminants.
- Newspaper
- White paper
- Books and magazines
- Cardboard
- Common mix
- Clear and mixed plastics
- Hard plastics
- Cling wrap
- PET
- Green and brown PET
- HD clear and HD white plastics
- Glass
- Heavy and light steel
- Aluminium cans
- Light steel cans
- Tetra Pak cartons
- E-waste
We do not accept organic waste for recycling.
More ways we recycle
Onsite sorting
For larger sites we set up a dedicated sorting area on your premises. Material is collected from inside your buildings and sorted into commodities, ready for our vehicles to take to our MRF.
We buy recyclables
We buy recyclable material from businesses. Contact us with the type and volume of material you have.
Packa-Ching community buy-back
Through Packa-Ching, a mobile buy-back centre visits communities to collect recyclables, and people are paid for what they bring in with Shoprite store vouchers.
Think Twice household collections
We collect household recyclables for the City of Cape Town in Atlantic Area 2, Impuma 2 and Woodstock Surrounds. Find your collection day
Why work with WasteWant
Our own recycling facility
Our own material recovery facility in Philippi, plus the Woodstock MRF we run for the City of Cape Town. Together they process more than 600,000 kg of recyclables a month.
The capacity to deliver
More than 1,600 full time employees and a fleet of over 100 vehicles, with all work done by our own in-house teams.
Trusted by government
Most of our work is for government, including cleaning the majority of the City of Cape Town's buildings.
An empowerment partner
100% black youth owned and managed, and a Level 3 B-BBEE contributor.
Recycling questions
Which areas do you service?
We cover a wide area across Cape Town and the Helderberg region, including Somerset West, Strand, Gordon's Bay, Woodstock, Salt River, Rondebosch, Mowbray, Observatory, Green Point, Sea Point, Fresnaye, Hout Bay and the Cape Town CBD.
What recyclable materials do you collect?
We collect a broad range of commodities, including paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, steel, aluminium cans, Tetra Pak cartons and e-waste. We do not accept organic waste for recycling.
Where are your material recovery facilities?
Our own MRF is in Philippi, and we also run the Woodstock MRF for the City of Cape Town. Both facilities receive, sort and separate recyclable materials for onward recycling, and together they process more than 600,000 kg of recyclables a month.
Can contaminated materials be recycled?
We prefer materials to be clean and free from food waste, oil and other contaminants, as contamination affects material quality and recovery.
Do you buy recyclables?
Yes. We buy recyclable material from businesses. Contact us with the type and volume of material you have.
Do you collect in Camps Bay, and how do I join?
Yes. If your area is covered by the City of Cape Town's Think Twice programme, you can join our recycling collection. Once your area is confirmed, a driver can deliver a flyer and starter pack to your property so you can start separating your recyclables.
How can I arrange a recycling collection?
Contact our team to discuss your location, the recyclable materials you generate and your collection requirements.
Our other services
Waste management
Collection, transport, recycling, recovery and responsible disposal of waste for residential, commercial and industrial clients, on a schedule built around your site. More about waste management
Cleaning services
Dedicated on-site cleaning teams for offices, government buildings and public facilities, from daily cleaning to deep, carpet and upholstery cleaning, plus the supply of cleaning and hygiene consumables. More about cleaning services
Facility management
Your site's cleaning, waste management, recycling and housekeeping managed as one bundled service by our own in-house teams. More about facility management
Skip hire
2m³ and 3m³ skips in Paarl for renovations, garden clean-ups, building projects and commercial clean-ups. More about skip hire
Cleaning and hygiene supplies
Cleaning and hygiene consumables, from toilet paper and hand soap to refuse bags and cleaning products, supplied and restocked for your site. More about cleaning and hygiene supplies