South Africa is a water scarce country, with disasters declared in several provinces due to drought. Yet ecologists are concerned that an over-emphasis on built infrastructure means any short-term water augmentation plans put into place now will be just that – short term, leaving the critical environmental support structure that ensures sustainable water supply threatened. And … [Read more...]
Rethinking the Bag with 5 Gyres Ambassador Hayley McLellan
In 2010 Hayley McLellan (now the Environmental Campaigner at the Two Oceans Aquarium) launched the Rethink the Bag campaign with the goal of banning single-use plastic shopping bags in South Africa - and she's making significant progress. In 2011, the Aquarium made the decision to fully support this campaign which led to staff and volunteers being prohibited from bringing … [Read more...]
Finally, Kenya effects ban on plastic bags
Susan Khalayi, a shopper in Nairobi walks out of a supermarket in the city’s central business district carrying foodstuff, mostly fruits. The goods are packed in an eco-friendly, reusable bag made of cloth. Just a day before, the groceries she bought at the same outlet were packed in plastic bags. That was the norm in Kenya until August 28, when the government effected a … [Read more...]
Coastal clean-up initiative sees record number of participants
This past weekend saw the 21st year in which South Africa participated in the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) – an annual event that has become the biggest, global volunteer effort for ocean health. “We coordinated more than 400 beach clean-up points around the Cape and 40 in KZN in partnership with the KZN Marine Waste Network members on Saturday alone. This excludes … [Read more...]
Fun runners clean Joburg, one plastic bottle at a time
A group of just over 180 proud residents took to the streets of Joburg on Sunday, 17 September 2017 as part of a ‘Joburg City Clean-Up’ in the prelude to the 2nd annual FNB Joburg 10K City Run. “We were overwhelmed by the support that the ‘Joburg City Clean-Up’ received today,” says Blake Dyason, ‘Joburg City Clean-Up’ pioneer. “Our cities have so much history and … [Read more...]
Let’s Do It! coastal clean-up initiative comes to Africa
Covering nearly 1,500 kilometres of the South African coastline, with a number of nodal clean-ups to be implemented from Melkbosstrand in the west, to Ballito on the east coast of South Africa, the inaugural ‘Big Clean-up’ – a network of participating organisations and volunteer groups – will deliver a wave of change to our shores this International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICC), … [Read more...]
Putting a new spin on waste: green is the new gold
South African non-profit association, the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), aims to change perceptions and encourage more people to consider waste as a valuable resource. The institute’s Eastern Cape branch hosted its regional waste conference, titled ‘Green is the new Gold’ at the World of Windows in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last week. “Our … [Read more...]
Global plastics industry combats marine litter
Seven new signatories were added to The Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter, also informally known as the “Joint Declaration” in 2016. New participants include the American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA), the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPGMEA), the Flexible Packaging Association … [Read more...]
The new gift of Christmas
Every year I write a Green Christmas story. About green shopping, green tree decorations and greener holidays. Poor planet. Up goes resource extraction, up goes the mounds of waste, up goes water consumption, up goes everyone’s footprint – people driving and flying all over the place. Over-spending, over-eating, over-drinking. It’s this über mentality that got us into … [Read more...]
Minister calls for urgent Industry Waste Management Plans
Specific waste producers must submit their Waste Management Plans within the next 3 months and existing producers must register with the Minister of Environmental Affairs within 30 days of a new notice published in the Government Gazette. On 12 August 2016, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa published a notice to the Paper and Packaging; Electrical and … [Read more...]
Is your school Waste Wise?
What is your school, or your child's school, doing about their waste footprint? Do not throw your hands up in despair if you are not personally involved in making school waste awareness happen. Many schools are indeed doing great work in this line. I often say that the kids are far more aware than us adults - WE are the problem generation. The Waste Wise school's … [Read more...]
Milk bottles into walkways to protect crucial KZN mangrove beaches
The walkways at the Beachwood Mangroves in Durban were upgraded for World Oceans Day last month by means of recycled plastic, including thousands of milk bottles and plastic bags. This is the day when people all over the world celebrate 'Healthy Oceans - Healthy Planet' and promote the prevention of marine litter. The initiative was a collaboration between Plastics|SA (the … [Read more...]
10 years of recycling success at Cape cycling race
Cyclers and spectators are dropping less waste! This was discovered this month during the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour. Two teams of clean-up crews recruited from local townships near Ocean View ensured that it was collected for recycling at various water and spectator points, the start and the finish, hospitality part, and refreshment points. The race also saw the … [Read more...]
