Search Climate Insights Directory

This case study by GreenCape examines the City of Cape Town's (CCT) '50/Fifty' refuse bin procurement programme, which uses circular procurement to integrate recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) into municipal infrastructure. By requiring bins to be made from 50% recyclate and implementing a closed-loop exchange system for damaged bins, the city has reduced landfill waste, lowered procurement costs, and supported local job creation and industry resilience.

This policy brief examines the impact of Chinese investments in Tanzania's plastic recycling industry and the subsequent effects of China's 2018 import ban on waste materials. It highlights how Chinese firms have facilitated technology transfer and local business growth, while also noting significant environmental and health risks and a potential decline in local waste sourcing due to the import of cleaner waste from Europe and the US.