Unless steps are taken to properly monitor and control the generation and disposal of waste across all sectors, and to provide well-managed disposal and recycling facilities, the problem of waste will continue to pose an increasing threat to human health and the environment. These arise from the many domestic and economic activities in the CMA and as a result it makes the disposal, management and monitoring of waste particularly challenging. At present data on volumes of solid waste generated in the CMA is incomplete and inconsistent resulting in discrepancies in volume figures. Table 1 below provides a break down of solid waste generated by municipality. According to the National Waste Management Strategy Draft Report of 17 December 1998, all incinerators that are not permitted by the year 2005 must be closed down.
Plastics are persistent, accumulative pollutants.
Being lightweight, they are easily dispersed far from source areas by wind and water. The different types and lightweight nature of plastic complicate recycling. The negative impact on the tourist industry resulting from litter is a hidden economic cost. No accurate figures are available for plastic. The Coastal Park, Faure, Bellville and the Swartkip landfill sites currently receive hazardous waste from domestic sources and small business, despite them not being lined nor permitted to receive such waste.