It’s that time of year again: Time to put 2019 — a tumultuous year of ups and downs for our planet — to bed and start fresh with renewed energy and vision for 2020. And there’s no better time, because 2020 is going to be a pivotal year for our planet. Five years into the adoption of the Paris Agreement, 2020 will mark the year where we assess our collective progress on our … [Read more...]
Bioplastics are not the same as biodegradable plastics
When it comes to plastic alternatives, there are two materials that consumers are likely to encounter; bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. These are separate products that are often confused. People think that bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are one and the same, but in reality, they are not. Both of these materials are fairly new developments that are growing in … [Read more...]
Recycling ‘too much effort’ for most South Africans
Data from a new survey tapping into the public’s attitudes towards recycling has revealed that the majority of working and middle-class South Africans simply find recycling too much effort. In the largest consumer research in South Africa of its kind, almost 1,000 adults – mostly from major cities in South Africa, but including peri-urban and rural areas – spanning living … [Read more...]
The road to ending plastic waste in SA
The South African Initiative to End Plastic Waste has already made important progress in its efforts to find workable solutions that will prevent plastic from polluting the environment. According to Plastics SA executive director Anton Hanekom, this initiative was formed earlier this year and enjoys the support and active participation of the entire packaging value chain – … [Read more...]
No more eviction for crucial Joburg recycling NPO
A group of 110 waste collectors will not be thrown out of their waste-sorting depot at Pirates Sports Club in Greenside. WastePreneurs, an initiative that helps to uplift Joburg’s informal waste collectors, has won its first interdict against the City of Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), repealing its eviction from Pirates. In what has been hailed as a “small but … [Read more...]
Sharing the economic and environmental value of recycling
The world of plastics has changed dramatically in just a few short years, with the industry facing mounting opposition to the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other plastics. One of the greatest challenges of the PET recycling company (PETCO) is to add their voice to the global plastics conversation and share the economic and environmental value of … [Read more...]
Compostable alternatives to plastic
In events, single-use or disposable plastics have been especially useful in offering convenience, speed, scale, hygiene and affordability. Think of an event with thousands of attendees, and how quickly and safely they can be catered for with pre-packaged meals, disposable cutlery in sterile packaging, and disposable coffee cups (made from paper, but lined in plastic so that … [Read more...]
Recycling plastic presents income opportunities for South Africans
One of the best motivating forces for recycling plastic waste comes from the income opportunities that it creates. This is why South Africa has such a large sector of informal waste pickers – citizens that collect plastic recyclables from landfills and other waste streams and sell them to recycling companies for a profit. Waste management is an important part of society. … [Read more...]
New industry guidelines for recyclable plastic packaging released
Smart, sustainably sourced and recyclable packaging design – which keeps plastic out of the environment – is becoming essential to a business’s bottom line. The growing impact of the green economy on company profits has forced brands both big and small to radically transform their environmental strategies, including how their products are designed, made and packaged for … [Read more...]
Soweto recycling entrepreneur cleans up with equipment boost
With a desire to clean up Soweto, educate the community and combat the problem of overfull landfills, waste management company Pendowave founder and MD Gordon Nkuta has built a thriving recycling business and has now earned the support of one of the world’s largest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic converters. Nkuta started his buy-back centre in Diepkloof Zone 6 in … [Read more...]
Tips for keeping SA paper waste out of the landfill
In 2018, South Africa recovered 1.285 million tonnes of recyclable paper products, putting the country’s paper recovery rate at 71.7%. This is according to Anele Sololo, general manager of the country’s paper recycling association, RecyclePaperZA, who adds that this rate is well above the global average of 59.3%. If baled, 1.285 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging … [Read more...]
Plastics industry tackles waste in the environment
The local plastics industry will once again demonstrate its commitment to cleaning up the environment and removing plastics litter from our rivers, streams, oceans and neighbourhoods when the annual Clean-up and Recycle SA Week takes place from 16-21 September 2019. According to Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director of Plastics|SA, this is the 23rd year that they will be … [Read more...]
SA’s PET recycling rates among the highest in the world
South Africans can be proud of their efforts so far, as the latest recycling statistics show solid improvement. The country currently recycles 15% more than most European countries. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles are some of the most recycled products in South Africa. South Africa recycled around 519 400 tonnes of plastic in the last year alone, which gives … [Read more...]
