1/2013 – Wasting no space with Terraforce

SA’s first ‘green-fields’ refuse transfer station wastes no space with Terraforce

Following a study conducted by USA Consultants, Wright-Pearce (1999), it was recommended that the City develop a single regional waste disposal (landfill) facility, and as the existing landfills reach their capacity, they would be replaced by satellite refuse transfer stations, with waste being compacted into containers and transported by either road or rail to the proposed regional landfill.

Waste management facility

Kraaifontein Waste Management Facility

Typical waste collection (compactor) vehicles are not suitable or cost-effective for transporting waste over long-haul distances.

In developing its Integrated Waste Management Policy (IWMP) and Plans in 2005/2006, the philosophy of a regional landfill and associated transfer stations was endorsed by the City.

In April 2007, the City of Cape Town (Solid Waste Management Department) commissioned Jeffares & Green (Pty) Ltd in joint venture with GJA Consulting Engineers, to undertake the civil, mechanical and electrical design and construction management of the proposed Kraaifontein Refuse Transfer Station and Materials Recovery Facility (KWMF).


Maximising space for plant operations

Maximising space for plant operations

The wall is fully planted

The wall is fully planted


To maximize space for plant operations, site layout, vehicle turning movements and waste drop-off on fill embankments, a Terraforce wall was recommended by Jeffares & Green and Installed by Haw & Inglis. Says Richard Emery, Executive Associate at Jeffares & Green: “Terraforce was recognised and accepted because of their history of good performance, common application to contractors and aesthetically pleasing finishes. The blocks are plantable and the system provides the performance required in technical design. Overall, Terraforce is very suitable to soil reinforcement on backfill.”

Aesthetically pleasing finishe

Aesthetically pleasing finishes

Soil reinforcement on backfill

Soil reinforcement on backfill


Once completed in 2010, the R230 million Kraaifontein Waste Management Facility is the first large scale ‘green-fields’ refuse transfer station in South Africa that is integrated with a mechanised materials recovery facility, receiving co-mingled recyclables, separated and collected at source. This facility’s key focus was to make waste management more sustainable – a service meeting new national waste regulations, reducing waste transportation costs, providing meaningful employment, diverting waste from landfill and enhancing beneficial use of waste.