The City of Cape Town does not have the budget to roll out its recycling plan across the city, officials said on Monday.

A pilot project called "Think Twice" was launched in five areas in 2007. The plan has seen the city collect recyclable waste and reusable goods.

The city's Barry Coetzee said it did not have the finances for the extra equipment and transport costs which would be incurred if they were to extend the project.

"It is because of cost, the extra activity of collecting the recyclables, involves an additional component of transport.

As you know, the cost of fuel is quite high, so there's additional expense to that," said Coetzee.