The initiative is part of a partnership between the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate and non-profit organisation The Litterboom Project.
With the City’s grant funding, eight new litterbooms have been installed across the metro since May 2025, while 12 local river wardens have been employed to maintain them.
The devices, which are essentially floating barriers strung across waterways, act as simple yet effective catchment devices that trap floating waste before it reaches the ocean.
Beyond protecting marine life, the project is creating work opportunities in surrounding communities.
The Litterboom Project also operates on a circular economy model. Waste collected from rivers is sorted, cleaned and converted into raw materials at its Innovation Hub.
These plastics are then repurposed into everyday items, with proceeds reinvested into projects that sustain local reclaimers and keep waterways clear.
Who are The Litterboom Project?
Founded in KZN in 2017, The Litterboom Project (TLP) takes a different approach to tackling plastic pollution through an upstream model.
With 80% of ocean plastic pollution originating up-river, TLP believe that using rivers is far more effective for interception measures than beach clean-ups.
Over the past few years, TLP have prevented millions of kilograms of plastic from reaching the ocean through the hard work of just a few strategically placed teams.
“We are proud of the visible difference that this partnership with TLP is making,” said the City of Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Councilor Zahid Badroodien.
New devices have been installed at the following locations in Cape Town:
- Two booms in the Big Lotus in Manenberg.
- Two booms in the Big Lotus in Ottery
- Two booms in the Black River in Athlone
- One boom each in Bloemvlei Canal and Vygieskraal
“There are many organisations doing tremendous work on the ground, and it is refreshing to see financial support coming directly from the municipality, to address the growing pollution problem and recognise the work being done by organisations like ours,” said Cameron Service, CEO of The Litterboom Project.
Since its inception, The Litterboom Project has trained and employed more than 200 people across its programmes.
In Cape Town alone, the team has intercepted over 255 tonnes of river waste since January 2025.
Do you know any other non-profits doing great work in waste management?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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