An innovative pilot project is streamlining the buying and selling of recyclable materials. In doing so, it is providing important, previously unavailable, insights into South Africa’s informal recycling sector. AN innovative pilot project being trialled at recycling buy-back centres across South Africa is yielding positive results just over a year in, helping grassroots … [Read more...]
Shark finning on MSC-certified vessels ‘ignored’
A new Shark Guardian investigation has revealed that fishery observer reports of shark finning and other malpractices on MSC-certified vessels in the Western Central Pacific Ocean have been routinely ignored. A total of 24 incidents of shark finning were identified, all of which took place on MSC certified vessels, 19 of them during MSC trips and sets classified as MSC … [Read more...]
KZN gas plant approval challenged by civil society
In light of the serious climate change impacts that the project will have and the absence of any assessment of these impacts, environmental justice groups groundWork (gW) and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) – represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) – are challenging the amendment of an environmental authorisation for a gas to power … [Read more...]
SA’s untapped potential for off-grid biogas energy
Ahead of the imminent launch of the South African Waste to Energy Roadmap, a new report has found that the micro-digester sector has significant opportunities to grow if it can strengthen partnerships within the sector and with stakeholders in allied sectors. This study, commissioned by the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), has uncovered untapped … [Read more...]
Chris Bertish to relaunch Transpacific Wing Project
Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, big wave surfer, Guinness SUP World Record holder and conservationist, announces plans to launch the Transpacific Wing Project again in late May early June, the world’s first solo, wing foil, transpacific crossing Channel Islands Harbor Marina. The new expedition will be slated to finish at the end of July, beginning … [Read more...]
Western Cape reducing organic waste to landfill
At the end of 2022, the Organic Waste Landfill Ban in the Western Cape will kick in requiring a 50% reduction in organic waste going to landfill. The Organics Recycling Association of South Africa is actively marketing the new requirements with regards to the management of organic waste to ensure valuable organic waste is saved from landfills. While 22 495 households in Cape … [Read more...]
Could Cape Town be underwater by 2032?
Imagine Travel in 2032: A world transformed where some of the most fascinating tourism bucket list spots are newly formed desert regions in the Vaal and mysterious attractions in the forgotten undersea cities of Venice and Cape Town, which is now partly in the Atlantic Ocean near Table Mountain Island. And for the most intrepid, adventure-seeking world traveller, extreme … [Read more...]
Making heating and cooling energy efficient
A Day of the year has been allocated to the power of the sun thanks to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). International Day of the Sun on 03 May is meant to recognise and promote the expansion of this abundant renewable energy resource. International Day of the Sun also coincides with a major research collaboration to identify the optimal thermal technologies that … [Read more...]
Nuclear energy is not affordable or safe
It has been five years since the High court ruling (on 26 April 2017) that exposed the severity of state corruption and halted government’s “illegal and unconstitutional” R1-trillion nuclear energy deal with Russia. This collective action, which gave Freedom Month a whole new meaning to all those involved, was a national effort by many civil society organisations, academics … [Read more...]
How new EPR law benefits recycling in SA
As companies navigate the new mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) landscape, a leading recycler in the plastics value chain has revealed the unexpected ease in managing its new reporting and compliance requirements as a producer. One of the biggest recyclers of PET plastic bottles on the African continent, Extrupet, has been guided in its journey by … [Read more...]
Protesters arrested after oil terminal actions
Five supporters of Just Stop Oil were remanded in custody over the Easter weekend and appeared in court on charges related to actions at oil terminals in support of the demand that the UK government end new oil and gas projects in the UK. Kathryn Dowds, 28, Jake Handling, 27, and Joshua Smith, 29, were charged with aggravated trespass after being arrested during an action at … [Read more...]
New whale call discovered off the coast of SA
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown "impulsive sound" – dubbed the “gunshot” by researchers – that has never been recorded before. The study documented 600 whale calls over 11 days at the Vema Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean, 1,000km off the coast of South Africa. The research was conducted during a Greenpeace International expedition to the region and led by the … [Read more...]
Home biogas systems offer solution for waste management
HomeBiogas develops biogas systems enabling people and businesses to turn their organic waste into clean energy for cooking or heating, on-site. HomeBiogas is a publicly traded Israeli company engaged in developing, manufacturing, distributing, and selling domestic and industrial-scale biogas systems that offer a comprehensive solution for waste management, renewable energy … [Read more...]