Before the 1970s, asbestos was a widely used home and manufacturing additive for its heat and fireproof resistant properties. Due to this, asbestos fibers can be found in buildings and products alike, and although it is banned in the UK, there have been lasting detrimental and cancerous effects through first, second, and third-wave exposure. In the U.S., this carcinogen is … [Read more...]
EWT responds to China’s illegal wildlife trade ban
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) welcomes the announcement by the Chinese Communist Party to enforce the ban on illegal wildlife trade and increase regulation of wildlife markets. Evidence points to wildlife markets as a source of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which has resulted in human and economic costs. The EWT emphasises their position that these markets pose … [Read more...]
Campaign calls for a ban on cigarette butts in SA
The National Council Against Smoking is working with Greenpeace Africa to raise awareness about the plastic in cigarette butts as part of Plastic-free July. They are leveraging on the global campaign, encouraging people to rethink the way they use plastic, by starting a campaign on their VUMA.EARTH platform, which calls for a ban on cigarette butts in South Africa. “It may … [Read more...]
Single use plastic items to be banned in England
Plastic straws and drink stirrers, and cotton buds with plastic stems will be banned from sale and use in England from next April, the government has confirmed. The move, which has been in the offing for more than a year, is hoped to vastly reduce the litter and other environmental impacts of the nearly 5bn plastic straws currently used each year in the UK, along with more … [Read more...]
Plastic bags have now been banned at these shops
A popular retailer has announced that it will stop offering plastic bags at three more stores: its stores in Maroun Square in Johannesburg, Moreleta Village in Pretoria and Delcairn Centre in Durban. In November last year, Woolworths banned plastic bags at the Steenberg Village Woolies in Tokai. At the same time, it also launched R5 reusable fabric black bags, made from … [Read more...]
Greenpeace Africa volunteers start ambitious campaign for plastic ban
A group of Greenpeace Africa volunteers in Cape Town has started an ambitious campaign calling on South Africa's top political parties to adopt a ban on single-use plastics in their election manifestos ahead of this year's presidential election. The group is urging South Africa's political elite to recognise that the country is lagging behind in the continental battle … [Read more...]
Your right to choose natural health products is under threat
Be warned …your favourite herbal, homeopathic and nutritional products will soon either be banned or become unaffordable, unless you say ‘NO!‘ This will later expand to include natural skincare products and African Traditional Medicines. The current regulatory regime imposed on traditional & natural health products stems from controversial ‘Complementary Medicine … [Read more...]
Petition calls for an end to single-use plastics
Plastic Pollution Coalition is a growing global alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways and oceans, and the environment. Please sign their petition to appeal for the banning of single use plastic due to its impact on the environment. The … [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...]
Let’s get microbeads banned now in SA – join the campaign
Some years ago we sent a journalist on one of the 5 Gyres Institute boats to share in the crucial research into the impact of plastic beads on our oceans. Our passion for the ocean demanded that we get involved with this plight of the most important source of protein on the planet - and of many of our connection to nature. If there is one issue which moves me deeply it is … [Read more...]
Will banning neonicotinoids end the bee genocide?
Will the end of one kind of agricultural chemical get bees back to a healthy population - or is it already too late? The world's honeybee population has been mysteriously declining for the last few years. It’s one of the most important food stories out there since bees pollinate a big chunk of the produce we eat and the population drop is continually getting … [Read more...]
Textile brand bans hazardous chemicals
Global fashion retailer H&M has committed to a global ban on any further use of Perflourinated Compounds (PFCs) including all formulations (such as C8, C6 and C4) by 1 January 2013. Greenpeace Detox Campaigner Martin Besieux said: "Greenpeace welcomes H&M's decision to completely ban all uses of PFCs as it begins to deliver on its Detox commitment to eliminate all … [Read more...]
