Robben Island had her beaches swept of junk last Saturday when PETCO, the Plastics Federation and the Overberg community launched a big clean-up initiative.

The clean-up generated no less than 15 bags of recycling material including plastic, glass, and metal in two hours. John Kieser, environmental manager of the Plastics Federation was the host of the clean-up and guided the team on safety issues and rules.

‘Although there were few post consumer PET bottles on the Island, it was interesting to see them in bulk around the coastline, indicating that the litter on the Island is washed up from the ocean,’ said Lynn Du Plessis, PETCO Public Relations. PETCO promotes the recycling of PET (clear) beverage bottles in SA.

30% increase in PET recycled

Last year 37 482 tons of PET was recycled, which was a 30% increase (year on year). PETCO hopes to increase this rate even more going forward.

At PETCO the focus is primarily on recycling PET plastic into numerous second generation products. PET plastic is valuable and in South Africa it is recycled into fibre for clothing, insulation, geo-textiles and most importantly back into PET packaging.

We all need to work together to keep our oceans clean and recycle our waste.

Get creative with waste

There are also other innovative ways to use PET bottles. Let’s see what people around the world are doing with their PET and catch this inspiration!!

Want to build a home, but don’t have materials? Take a look at these gorgeous homes made from used bottles.

Plastic Bottles turned into Artificial Turf

PETCO urges all involved in the PET packaging industry chain to become members of PETCO, in order to protect and promote PET growth, awareness, recycling and reuse. A strong membership base also helps the PET industry to influence national environmental authorities.