Greenpeace Africa volunteers have launched a petition demanding accountability from United Phosphorus Limited following the July explosion of their chemical warehouse in Cornubia in Durban. An investigation by amaBhungane has uncovered that the warehouse stored hundreds of chemicals with known adverse health effects, including Masta 900, methamidophos, and paraquat. It also … [Read more...]
Annual beach clean-up aims to preserve ocean life
Clean-ups happened across the country this month for World Environment Day. The theme of this year’s World Oceans Day was “Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” and this annual event helps to shed light on the wonder of the ocean and how it is our life source, supports humanity and every other organism on Earth. Plastics|SA supported this good work by sponsoring plastic bags, as … [Read more...]
Mqeku Picnic Site: an ideal spot for family outings
Head for the great outdoors, enjoy the early-winter crisp weather and discover somewhere new: visit the Mqeku Picnic Site - a magical unexplored playground only 20 minutes from Hillcrest in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Hills. With Youth Day and Father’s Day both coming up in the next fortnight – families may be looking for interesting things to do together. Mqeku … [Read more...]
Recycling project demonstrates the value of effective collaboration
In a combination of passion for the environment, a drive for economic opportunities, and the need for people to make a living, a number of civil society organisations, government structures, businesses and informal waste pickers are working together to do clean-ups, recycle and repurpose waste material that benefits all, in what promises to be a workable prototype for the City … [Read more...]
SA’s health and wellbeing are at stake
On July 22, 2020 Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams gazetted a new policy on the development of communications networks in South Africa. The motivation for promoting 5G electronic communications networks ‘was for the creation of a digital economy and society’, she said at the time. Activists have criticized the draft policy, that will … [Read more...]
Developing new ideas for reducing plastic pollution
Municipality, business and community are collaborating to clean up the environment and get plastic waste out of the rivers and ocean and back into the value chain. Minster of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, the Honourable Mrs Creecy, launched the use of a Beach Rake and the Inkwazi Isu on 19 September at Toti Main Beach in KwaZulu Natal. Inkwazi Isu (Fisheagle … [Read more...]
Clarity needed on safety of ‘plugged’ deep sea oil well
Following the announcement, last week, by oil and gas giant Total that it has “demobilised its Deepsea Stavanger drill rig along with all support vessels, after concluding its drilling activities on the exploration well Luiperd-1X in Block 11B/12B on 23 November 2020”, the Green Connection’s Neville Van Rooy says he is concerned about who will be held responsible for any … [Read more...]
Durban adventure park starts up again
It has been a long tough grind for those in the tourism industry hard hit by the COVID-19 regulations and travel bans. So it is not surprising that one small exquisite spot in Durban has begun to capture the imagination of local tourists, and things appear to be on the rise. Nestled in a far corner of the expansive Inanda Dam is the Green Corridors eNanda Adventure Park – a … [Read more...]
Durban to drop fossil fuels from its investments
Fossil Free South Africa and 350 Africa congratulate the City of eThekwini/Durban on becoming the second South African city to commit to phasing out investments in climate-breaking fossil fuels. The eThekwini commitment was announced in late September, when the Mayors of Durban and Cape Town joined a group of 12 mayors from North America, Europe and Africa who promised “to … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship initiative fights poverty with e-waste
South Africa’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world with our crippling economy being unable to provide adequate formal employment opportunities. In partnership with leading household appliance companies and retailers, one initiative is making a real difference by providing income-generating opportunities for the unemployed. By donating their customer returned … [Read more...]
Beating plastic pollution and recognising a fallen ocean hero
Every person has a responsibility to keep our oceans clean. “Research has shown that 85 % of the litter found in oceans is from land based sources. Our activities this week and throughout the month of June are aimed at informing the public of the positive impact that responsible waste management can have on the world’s oceans and reminding them that plastics should be … [Read more...]
Operation #Cleanup Durban a huge success
The South African plastics industry has one again proved that we don't merely pay lip service when it comes to looking after the environment - we act on our promises! Under the guidance of Plastics|SA's Sustainability Director, Douw Steyn, supported by the KZN Marine Waste Network and various other organisations and institutions, more than 300 tons of litter were removed … [Read more...]
Plastic waste clean-ups head for KwaZulu-Natal after flood
Sincere condolences go out to the affected families and communities that have fallen victim to the devastating human tragedy caused by this week’s heavy rains and flooding in Kwa-Zulu Natal. A huge amount of plastic pollution has also ended up in KZN’s rivers and beaches. This event, more than any in recent times, reinforces the need for all of us – the industry, the … [Read more...]
