The ongoing global movement for eliminating plastics is gaining momentum in Africa. Several countries are now taking steps to eliminate the production and distribution of single-use plastics, some adopting a total ban on the production and use of plastic bags. Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania have taken the … [Read more...]
SA’s ocean creatures drowning in single use plastics
Seaside communities whose recreational activities and tourism economy are vested in the attractiveness of our coast are increasingly concerned about the negative impacts of plastic pollution. Bigger than aesthetics and sea life being entangled or accidentally eating plastic, new research shows how plastic is part of OUR food chain. It breaks up into micro particles that are … [Read more...]
Come join us for Plastic Free July
On a whim I do my first trip out after surgery. Sudden deep need for fish and chips. I can’t find my son I intended to take along. It’s getting dark. Had googled best fish and chips in the Helderberg and ordered. I end up at the wrong place. My phone’s battery is about to die. On the last bar Maps get me to the right place. Nobody else around. Hungry folk begging. Dash in … [Read more...]
Plastic Free July coming at Two Oceans Aquarium
This Plastic Free July, the Two Oceans Aquarium is getting even more serious about putting a stop to plastic pollution in the sea. An exciting lineup has been planned for the whole month, and the Aquarium will use its extended platforms to further mobilise individuals, communities, retailers, restaurants, businesses, and other stakeholders to commit to stemming the tide of … [Read more...]
Television adverts highlight growing marine debris problem
Plastics|SA will be releasing a series of new radio and television adverts this week in which it addresses the issue of plastics litter found in the marine environment. “Never before has the issue of plastics in our oceans received so much attention on a global scale. Plastics|SA, the umbrella organisation representing the entire South African plastics value chain signed the … [Read more...]
Are South Africa’s shopping bags really being recycled?
Despite many claims to the contrary, the shopping bags of most SA retailers are not actually being recycled because of one additive. In spite of wording on their plastic shopping bags such as "Recycle me - set a trend" (Woolworths), "Reduce, reuse, recycle" (Pick 'n Pay & Shoprite) and "We love our country, please recycle" (Spar), these bags are not being recycled … [Read more...]
Environmental heroes to cast global spotlight on African marine waste
The presence of Ted Prize winner Earle, a National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence, who has 22 honourary degrees and more than a hundred national and international honours, is considered a major coup for the Metro. Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, called "Her Deepness" by the New Yorker and the New York Times, "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and first "Hero for the … [Read more...]
Global plastics industry combats marine litter
Seven new signatories were added to The Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter, also informally known as the “Joint Declaration” in 2016. New participants include the American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA), the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPGMEA), the Flexible Packaging Association … [Read more...]
Cleaning up Robben Island for International Coastal Clean-up Day
This past week (12-17 September 2016) marked Clean-up & Recycle SA week, the aim of the week is to increase awareness in South Africans of the many benefits of recycling (socially, environmentally and economically) and the importance of a litter-free environment. This year, we celebrated the twentieth year of South Africa’s active participation in the International … [Read more...]
65 organizations looking for marine litter solutions
Plastic packaging is a huge contributor to marine litter. Now the plastics industry has created a Global Declaration for Solutions to Marine Litter. Packaging SA is in full support of the drive to prevent marine litter and they are the latest signatory to the Declaration. “We recognise that plastic packaging is a major contributor to marine litter and consequently feel … [Read more...]
Solutions urgently needed for marine debris dilemmas
Plastic bags have been found under the dwindling arctic ice. Inaccessible Island’s beaches are covered in plastic, yet it is 3 000 km’s away from the closest source of plastic waste. Considering that we produce about 300 million tons of plastic per year, the bulk of which is not being reused or recycled, these reports are only going to get more shocking. The first ever … [Read more...]
Cleaning up the peninsula
With Summer nearing, Capetonians can once again look forward to lounging on the iconic beaches that stretch around the peninsula. Spending long, hot days relaxing on the sand and staring out over the ocean is undoubtedly a happy prospect. The idea of those pearly beaches being covered in litter is never part of the fantasy. And it should never become be a reality. That is … [Read more...]
Sea Shepherd tackles Waterfront beach mess
Each year, three times as much rubbish is dumped into the world's oceans as the weight of fish caught. In 1996 120 million tons of fish were caught, meaning around 400 million tons of rubbish is dumped in the oceans annually. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a direct action organization, gathered on the 9th of April at 9am on the East Pier of the V&A Waterfront … [Read more...]
