Eco-Choice Africa, a locally developed ecolabel for consumer products has become the first of its kind on the Continent to receive international recognition as an associate member of the Global Ecolabel Network, the international controlling body for ecolabelling. The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of leading Type 1 ecolabelling organisations … [Read more...]
Let’s turn the corner on food wastage
If you take a moment to digest the statistics around the amount of food we waste today, it can be pretty overwhelming. It is thought that around one third of the food produced around the globe is lost or wasted. Richer countries waste something like 222 million tonnes per year, in Europe and North America that equates to 95-115kg of food per person, per year. The numbers are … [Read more...]
A youth perspective on eco restoration
Since attending the World Conference on Ecological Restoration, I cannot see life in the same way. With the daunting climate challenges we are facing, it shocks me how little most of us know about such an important aspect of our survival. To me, ecological restoration was a foreign term used solely by conservationists and concerning only the environment. This … [Read more...]
Sustainable palm oil-certified pies a step in the right direction
Most responsible consumers are worried about the environmental, animal and social destruction of palm oil plantations and wonder how to negotiate their shopping without adding to the damage. Woolworths pies are the first South African food products to be certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Early in 2018, Woolworths launched South Africa’s first … [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...]
War on waste makes local business more sustainable
Partnerships are the key to success in the waste management and recycling industry, is the conclusion that was arrived at during a workshop in the Eastern Cape. Early in November PETCO hosted a workshop with some of its partners in the Eastern Cape. The aim of the event was to share information around waste management and recycling in the province, outline current plastics … [Read more...]
Africa’s Climate Reality about to hit Johannesburg
South African-based youth environmental organisation, Generation Earth, has joined forces with former-US President, Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project to bring climate change education to African shores. The Climate Reality Leadership Corps Africa Training, which will take place in Johannesburg from 12-14 March, follows on the heel of similar trainings across the globe. The … [Read more...]
Play your part in plastic recycling
Ever wondered what happens to your plastic bottles after you’ve discarded them? Most of them are thrown into rubbish bins and end up in one of South Africa’s strained land fill sites. A more viable and environmentally friendly alternative is to deliver them to the plastics recovery stations at municipal drop-off centres, for recovery and recycling. Alternatively, participate … [Read more...]
New labelling helps make recycling easier for customers
In South Africa, there are so many recycling labels which are confusing for customers, designers and developers. That’s why Woolworths has designed and adopted new labelling on packaging to tell you exactly what materials each of their packs contain and how you can dispose of them. The new labelling started appearing on food packaging this month. The intention is for the … [Read more...]
Plans to put radioactive metal in consumer goods going ahead
Civil society organisations have warned the nuclear industry to back off radioactive metal imports for smelting and its deregulated sale in South Africa, or face a legal battle. Hot on the heels of the Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (NECSA) claiming to have minimised the impact of the release of deadly radiation through negligence from the Pelindaba nuclear facility early in … [Read more...]
Greenwashing: how do we use this concept for good?
The concept of greenwashing is one that I have long refrained from discussing, preferring rather to encourage the developing green market and not to fuel fires of mistrust. Not because it’s not important, on the contrary. South Africans need to understand what constitutes a responsible consumer and how they can contribute towards a better world. But it is also a term that may … [Read more...]
Smart design for recycling
Climate change and sustainable development are two of the biggest issues facing society today. It is increasingly important for companies to reduce the environmental impacts of products and services through their entire life cycle. Those companies failing to address environmental performance in product design and development will find it increasingly difficult to compete in the … [Read more...]
Time to put the chicken before the egg
Rescue battery hens Cape Town is winding down their warmer weather hen rescues with mid-to-end April being their last rescue until later this year (spring 2013). They've recently launched their "discreetly report a business" campaign where members of the public can use their website to inform them of companies in their area who do not sell free range products. This … [Read more...]
