Schools around the country stand a chance to once again win big prizes in Plastics|SA’s annual schools competition, entitled “Let’s do it … Let’s Clean-Up South Africa!” According to Douw Steyn, Director: Sustainability at Plastics|SA, the aim of this national competition is to educate and encourage schools, communities, businesses and organisations to play their part in … [Read more...]
Collaboration to create jobs and support SA waste collectors
Earlier this month, a helping hand was extended to local waste collectors in Johannesburg and Somerset West. On Tuesday, 18 July, Boxmore Packaging and PETCO, the organisation responsible for fulfilling the South African PET plastic industry’s role of Extended Producer Responsibility, partnered to sponsor and handover waste recycling trolleys to five local PET (Polyethylene … [Read more...]
iThemba Tower combines art, recycling and community
Officially opened in July 2016, the iThemba Tower is a community art project made with over 7 000 recycled plastic drinks bottles decorating a decommissioned 20m high cellular tower. The tower, in the garden of the Spaza Art Gallery in Troyeville, Johannesburg, has become a point of pride for people living and working in the area. https://vimeo.com/226310331 The project … [Read more...]
Awarding SA’s PET recycling champions
The extraordinary contributions to PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) recycling in South Africa during the course of 2016 by 10 individuals and companies were celebrated at an awards ceremony as part of the PETCO Annual General Meeting, held today at the Radisson Blu Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg. The PETCO awards are designed to recognise individuals, organisations and … [Read more...]
Entries now open for 2017 Recycled Plastic Product Awards
South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) is inviting entries to this year’s Recycled Plastic Product of the Year Awards. SAPRO is proud to announce the sixth prestigious competition, with the aim of acknowledging the wide variety of products that are locally manufactured using recycled materials. The Recycled Plastic Product of the Year Awards were held for the … [Read more...]
How to save water and recycle grey water in your home
With level four water restrictions now in place, dam levels currently at 19.6% (with only 10% available as usable water), and the Western Cape now declared a disaster zone by Premier Helen Zille, Capetonians need to do all they can to conserve the province’s precious resource. Even though the Western Cape is gearing up for heavy rainfall, we can still do our best to conserve … [Read more...]
Are South Africa’s shopping bags really being recycled?
Despite many claims to the contrary, the shopping bags of most SA retailers are not actually being recycled because of one additive. In spite of wording on their plastic shopping bags such as "Recycle me - set a trend" (Woolworths), "Reduce, reuse, recycle" (Pick 'n Pay & Shoprite) and "We love our country, please recycle" (Spar), these bags are not being recycled … [Read more...]
Success at the inaugural Fish Hoek community recycling expo
Recently, the community of Fish Hoek held a Recycling Expo, which – with over 300 attendees – proved quite successful. Here’s a little more on what went down... The Fish Hoek town hall was a bustling hub, with exhibits from 16 recyclers and composters, including the Green Guerrillas, art from waste crafters, False Bay Primary who make eco-bricks for a building project, … [Read more...]
39,000kg of waste collected at Two Oceans Marathon
This year the #GOGREEN campaign was launched before the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, resulting in more than 39 000 kg of waste being collected for recycling. The routes were cleaned up the Plastics|SA Clean-Up Crews on what's widely known as the World’s Most Beautiful Race. According to Douw Steyn, Director: Sustainability at Plastics|SA, the majority of the waste … [Read more...]
Toxic chemicals in children’s toys exceed proposed hazardous waste limit
A new global survey finds that recycling plastics containing toxic flame retardant chemicals found in electronic waste results in contamination of the world’s best-selling toy along with other children’s products. Ironically, the chemical contaminants can damage the nervous system and reduce intellectual capacity but are found in Rubik’s Cubes – a puzzle toy designed to … [Read more...]
2 billion plastic bottles recycled in SA last year
Over 2 billion PET plastic bottles were recycled in South Africa last year. Plastic bottle recycled tonnage in SA has grown by over 800% since 2005. PETCO has announced their 2016 recycling figures. These indicate that the annual PET recycling rate has grown from 52% of post-consumer bottle PET in 2015, to 55% in 2016, exceeding their expected target. An additional 22% of … [Read more...]
Living on water: are waterborne cities more resistant to climate change?
By the year 2050 about 70% of the world's population of 10 billion people will be living in cities, according to the United Nations. The question is, will there be enough land to go around? Not according to Jason Pomeroy -- founder of Singapore-based green architecture firm Pomeroy Studio -- who believes that due to climate change and rising sea levels, humans will be forced … [Read more...]
Rich booty of waste collected at 2017 SA navy festival
The SA Navy Festival in Simonstown delivered a big variety of waste, which was carefully sorted and sent for recycling. The Plastics|SA Clean-Up crews were once again in action at this year’s SA Navy Festival that took place at the Simonstown harbour from the 17th to the 19th of March. According to John Kieser, Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Manager and coordinator of the … [Read more...]
