Africa's cities are facing a growing waste crisis that is outpacing efforts to build infrastructure for managing it. In Johannesburg, South Africa, the problem is especially severe, with unreliable waste collection, limited landfill space, and an increase in illegal dumping. In the industrial suburb of Kya Sands, a large hill of illegally dumped trash has grown significantly since 2021, according to local councilor Devon Steenkamp. This mound is just the edge of a larger dumpsite that expanded after the city's main landfill closed in 2010 due to reaching capacity. Nearby, waste continues to spread across the valley, with smoke rising and trucks unloading more trash. This crisis in Johannesburg reflects a larger challenge across the continent. Many African cities, including Lagos in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal, and Accra in Ghana, are generating waste much faster than they can collect, recycle, or safely dispose of it. The urban population of Africa is expected to double by 2050, reaching 1.4 billion people, according to a joint report by the OECD, African Development Bank, and other organizations. The United Nations Environment Program estimates that over 90% of waste in Africa is disposed of at uncontrolled sites, often with open burning, which poses serious health and environmental risks. Waste generation in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to rise by 124% between now and 2050, the fastest growth of any region in the world. In the densely populated Alexandra township of Johannesburg, goats wander through piles of household waste, while residents walk past streets littered with plastic, food scraps, and construction debris. Linda Makole, a 75-year-old resident, is particularly worried about the health of local children, many of whom live in small homes and have limited space to play. She said that her landlord collects waste from tenants in a van but does not know where it is dumped. "Small children can’t possibly be healthy living in this environment," she said. Johannesburg's waste management company, Pikitup, has identified over 2,000 illegal dumping sites and allocated 115 million rand ($6.4 million) in 2025/26 to address the issue. However, some residents have reported waiting up to four weeks for their waste to be collected. The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance has attributed these delays to labor disputes, financial constraints, and an aging fleet of waste collection vehicles. As a result, many residents have turned to informal waste haulers, who often lack legal permits and may illegally dump waste in places like Kya Sands. Illegal dumpsites not only take up space but also burn trash to make room, releasing toxic fumes that pollute the air, soil, and water. This poses serious health risks to nearby communities. Carmen Jordaan, co-owner of Whole Earth Recycling, said that burning toxic plastics is a major concern, as people inhale the fumes. "At night, the air is so toxic you can’t breathe," said Bryce McCall, a former equestrian who runs a business near a dumpsite. "We’ve got air purifiers in our bedroom." Dr. Suzan Oelofse, a scientist at South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), warned that poor waste management attracts pests and clogs stormwater drains, increasing flood risks. She noted that waste generation has outpaced investment in new infrastructure, leaving the city reliant on aging landfills while recycling and composting efforts lag. South Africa’s draft National Waste Management Strategy warns that landfill space is depleting at an "unsustainable rate." In Johannesburg, only two of the city’s four landfills still accept general waste, and a recent study found that landfills have less than a year of disposal capacity left. "If we’ve got years, we’re lucky," Jordaan said. "It’s really, really close to that tipping point." Building more landfills is difficult due to limited land availability and strict environmental regulations. Oelofse estimated that up to 80% of Johannesburg’s waste could be diverted through recycling and organic waste treatment if households and businesses separated waste at the source. Pikitup is promoting this practice to preserve landfill space and plans to expand recycling infrastructure. Waste pickers are already helping to keep recyclable materials out of landfills, but they need more support, including access to bins, community buy-back centers, and protective gear. Jordaan emphasized that changing public attitudes about waste is also essential. "People think, 'Get rid of it.' But where is it going?" she said.