Owl Rescue Centre, a registered non-profit rehabilitation facility in Hartbeespoort concerned with the well-being of all owl species in Southern Africa, has come up with a genius use for recycled plastic that benefits the birds, as well as raises funds for a much-needed cause. The organisation’s founders, Brendan and Danelle Murray, recently decided that, moving forward, all … [Read more...]
New water treatment system ‘a model for future generations’
One of South Africa’s biggest corporations has raised the bar - and municipal water levels - by installing its own mass water filtration system so it can go off the “water grid”. Old Mutual unveiled its wastewater-to-drinking-water filtration system at its Mutual Park premises in Pinelands‚ Cape Town‚ on Monday. It is already harvesting 650 cubic litres of clean water per … [Read more...]
Sea salt around the world is contaminated by plastic
Sea salt around the world has been contaminated by plastic pollution, adding to experts’ fears that microplastics are becoming ubiquitous in the environment and finding their way into the food chain via the salt in our diets. New studies have shown that tiny particles have been found in sea salt in the UK, France and Spain, as well as China and now the US. Researchers … [Read more...]
Using yesterday’s mining techniques to recycle today’s batteries
Researchers at Michigan Technological University are using century-old mining techniques to recycle lithium-ion batteries at low cost. It helps that Lei Pan, an assistant professor of chemical engineering, has a graduate degree in mining engineering. Pan had a suspicion the techniques used in the mining industry 100 years ago to separate metal from ore might work for recycling … [Read more...]
Small recycling businesses in Boksburg receive welcome boost
Recycling SMMEs received support from the PET recycling sector earlier this month in the form of equipment that will enable their effective participation in the mandatory recycling programme launched by the City of Ekurhuleni this month. This follows concerns from small industry players and informal waste collectors that they could be sidelined by the new … [Read more...]
The pros and cons of plastic alternatives
On the 3rd of July, citizens throughout the world celebrated Plastic Bag Free Day. This, hot on the heels of Environment Day and World Oceans Day, both celebrated a few weeks earlier. On all three these days, and throughout the month of Plastic Free July, consumers were encouraged to #beatplasticspollution and join the challenge to “choose to refuse” single-use … [Read more...]
Gauteng polystyrene collectors help ensure recycling success
South Africa’s success with the collection and recycling of post-consumer polystyrene continues to grow thanks to the combined effort of collectors and recyclers around the country. Despite its label of being “difficult to recycle plastic”, polystyrene recycling figures have continued to grow over the past eight years. “The applications and uses for recycled polystyrene … [Read more...]
Africa’s pollution crisis warning: step up to avoid environmental disaster
As the second most polluted continent, Africa must take both the responsibility and opportunity to pioneer world-leading waste management methods to avoid an environmental and socio-economic disaster, experts warn. This was the message from environmental scientist Dr Tony Ribbink, who was speaking at the annual general meeting of the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) at the … [Read more...]
SA retailer to lead the way by ditching plastic packaging
A large retailer has announced that it plans to be the first in South Africa to contribute zero packaging waste. In a statement released on Tuesday, Woolworths said it aims to have none of its packaging end up in landfills, which will require the introduction of 100% recyclable materials and a supportive recycling infrastructure. This will include the phasing out of … [Read more...]
Bring Your Own Bag campaign aims to keep the seas trash free
Every year South Africans use approximately 8 billion plastic bags, and less than 1% are recycled. Most end up in landfills or the ocean. With the support of A Rocha “Christians in Conservation,” South African Churches have launched a campaign to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags. At the launch, Rethink The Bag campaign founder Hayley MacLellan shared stories of the … [Read more...]
6 Ways to beat plastic pollution this World Environment Day
5 June marks World Environment Day, a day recognised by over 143 countries who are concerned with the protection of our environment. First held in 1974, World Environment Day has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife … [Read more...]
Europe plans ban on plastic cutlery, straws and more
Europe is proposing a ban on single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws and cotton buds in a bid to clean up the oceans. The European Commission wants to ban 10 items that make up 70% of all litter in EU waters and on beaches. The list also includes plastic plates and drink stirrers. The draft rules were unveiled Monday but need the approval of all EU member states … [Read more...]
SA broke PET plastic recycling record last year
Despite tough trading conditions and a 13% fall in the total PET market, the South African plastic industry recycled a record 2.15 billion PET plastic bottles in 2017, setting a post-consumer recycling rate of 65% to put the country on par with international standards. The 93 235 tonnes of collected PET exceeded the industry target of 58% for the year 2017 and created 64 000 … [Read more...]
