The plastics and packaging industries of South Africa have welcomed the announcement made by Ms Barbara Creecy, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, to scrap the existing Section 28 plan for developing an Industry Waste Management Plan for the paper and packaging industry. Although the development of this plan has already been more than three years in the … [Read more...]
Compostable alternatives to plastic
In events, single-use or disposable plastics have been especially useful in offering convenience, speed, scale, hygiene and affordability. Think of an event with thousands of attendees, and how quickly and safely they can be catered for with pre-packaged meals, disposable cutlery in sterile packaging, and disposable coffee cups (made from paper, but lined in plastic so that … [Read more...]
Recycling plastic presents income opportunities for South Africans
One of the best motivating forces for recycling plastic waste comes from the income opportunities that it creates. This is why South Africa has such a large sector of informal waste pickers – citizens that collect plastic recyclables from landfills and other waste streams and sell them to recycling companies for a profit. Waste management is an important part of society. … [Read more...]
Soweto recycling entrepreneur cleans up with equipment boost
With a desire to clean up Soweto, educate the community and combat the problem of overfull landfills, waste management company Pendowave founder and MD Gordon Nkuta has built a thriving recycling business and has now earned the support of one of the world’s largest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic converters. Nkuta started his buy-back centre in Diepkloof Zone 6 in … [Read more...]
SA’s PET recycling rates among the highest in the world
South Africans can be proud of their efforts so far, as the latest recycling statistics show solid improvement. The country currently recycles 15% more than most European countries. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles are some of the most recycled products in South Africa. South Africa recycled around 519 400 tonnes of plastic in the last year alone, which gives … [Read more...]
Ring-fence the plastic bag levy to fight plastic pollution
Nobody is more disgusted at plastic pollution than those of us who work in the plastics industry. It is distressing to see our products washed up on beaches and littering the landscape. But the call to ban plastic products is a simplistic response to a complex problem. What’s required is a rational solution to the genuine crisis of plastic pollution, not an emotional … [Read more...]
Environmental service program offers youth employment and training
The environment, as well as the employment of young people, women and people living with disabilities, got a boost from the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Youth Environmental Services (YES) programme implemented in Gauteng by the Delta Environmental Centre, with 120 recruits graduating on 5 November. Five of them have already been employed by private companies and four … [Read more...]
Africa’s efforts towards eradicating plastics
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...]
The pros and cons of plastic alternatives
On the 3rd of July, citizens throughout the world celebrated Plastic Bag Free Day. This, hot on the heels of Environment Day and World Oceans Day, both celebrated a few weeks earlier. On all three these days, and throughout the month of Plastic Free July, consumers were encouraged to #beatplasticspollution and join the challenge to “choose to refuse” single-use … [Read more...]
Finding solutions to marine pollution with recycled furniture
Highlighting the solutions to issues of marine and land-based pollution in South Africa this week were national industry body for PET plastic recycling, PETCO, and the African Marine Waste Network. Extrupet, Africa’s leading PET and HDPE bottle recycling company, joined forces with PETCO, the industry body responsible for PET recycling in South Africa, and the Kenton-based … [Read more...]
Using theatre to teach SA’s youth the importance of recycling
What was the world like when the astronauts went to the moon in ’69? If they went again today would they see loads of litter on the little blue dot we call home? Are we being devoured by the diabolical Waste Monster we have created and grown to a disproportionate degree? Lunchbox Theatre’s ‘What a Waste Show’ teaches children about responsible waste management, recycling and … [Read more...]
New landfill regulations aim to minimise pollution and protect health
Waste disposal norms and standards have been implemented at South Africa’s 876 in order to minimise pollution and protect the health and safety of residents by correctly containing the waste. Jan Palm, President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), discussed the importance of having these regulatory mechanisms in place to ensure that the … [Read more...]
Is your school Waste Wise?
What is your school, or your child's school, doing about their waste footprint? Do not throw your hands up in despair if you are not personally involved in making school waste awareness happen. Many schools are indeed doing great work in this line. I often say that the kids are far more aware than us adults - WE are the problem generation. The Waste Wise school's … [Read more...]
