Plastic waste is a massive problem in South Africa. In cities, towns and even the rural areas, plastic rubbish litters our streets, our beaches, our veld and our waterways. But who’s problem is it? “The problem with plastic waste is so big that the government cannot handle it alone,” says Devin Galtrey, Group Packaging Manager for the SPAR Group. “It’s my problem. It’s … [Read more...]
New partnership cleans up polluted waterways
Several prominent brands recently teamed up to remove litter from the Jukskei, one of Joburg's most heavily polluted rivers. Polo SA has been a brand known and loved by South Africans for many years. In 2020 Polo SA launched their Naturally Polo initiative focusing on sustainability and a more eco-conscious approach not only to fashion but to the broader environment in which … [Read more...]
New recyclable label trial delivers affordable options
According to the Designing for the Environment guidelines, components such as closures and labels should be designed in such a way that they can be easily, safely and cost-effectively separated and then eliminated from the recycled PET. PETCO and one of their recycling partners, Extrupet, recently teamed up with PETCO member Oasis Water and global label producer MCC Label to … [Read more...]
Plastics industry releases latest recycling figures
The local plastics industry has just released the official plastic recycling stats for the year ending 31 December 2020. Each year, data is collected from plastics recyclers around the country by Plastix 911 on behalf of Plastics SA. PETCO provides figures from their listed PET recyclers, whilst raw material suppliers Sasol and Safripol provide input on the production and … [Read more...]
Waste reclaimers making an impact on Ermelo
Despite all odds and the challenges brought about by Covid-19, Johanna, the owner of Bophelo buy-back centre and her team of waste reclaimers were able to make grass-roots impact in Ermelo, by improving the lives and livelihood of community members while making a positive improvement on the environment. When Safripol in partnership with PETCO was announced as the winner of … [Read more...]
Upcycling pop bottles for a better night’s sleep
Take another look at that empty bottle of fizzy pop you just threw into your recycling bag. Tonight it could be part of your mattress – if you make the right choices. The problem of plastic pollution is becoming more urgent every day. According to the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), over 82 metric tonnes of PET are used every year to … [Read more...]
Open burning of waste: time for urgent action
More than a million premature deaths a year due to air pollution, waste and open burning is one of the critical issues contributing to increasing levels of pollution especially in urban areas. Countries should call time on the common practice of open burning waste in order to mitigate climate impact, environmental pollution and to improve the health of billions of people who … [Read more...]
30% GHG emission reduction by 2030 not enough
In September 2021, Sasol announced disappointingly modest and self-contradictory plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. As the company heads towards its 2021 shareholder AGM on 19 November, at which it will table its own non-binding vote on its emission reduction plans, this press briefing note outlines our response to Sasol’s latest targets. It’s no … [Read more...]
South Africa’s first climate finance deal is a promising start
Climate and environmental justice groups cautiously welcome the $8.5 billion partnership announced at COP26, but demand transparency about the scope and conditions, and accountability by lenders, beneficiaries and the South African government. The partnership between the governments of South Africa, the US, the UK, France, Germany and the EU will mobilise $8.5 billion (R131 … [Read more...]
Ocean Cleanup heads to the gyre with System 002
The Ocean Cleanup, the non-profit developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic, announces proof of technology upon returning to Victoria Harbour with trash collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. With this confirmation, the organization will immediately return to the infamous gyre to start cleaning the ocean’s largest accumulation of plastic … [Read more...]
Supermarket trolley crowned recycled product of the year
A humble supermarket trolley, which most of us use at least once a week, has been crowned the Best Recycled Product of the Year at the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation’s (SAPRO) biennial competition which took place on Thursday, 14 October 2021. The trolley, manufactured by Supercart SA (Pty) Ltd for Pick n Pay and entered for the Consumer & Leisure … [Read more...]
Sleep in luxury with a clear conscience
With so much focus on the critical need to reduce humans’ impact on our planet, increased attention is being paid to reusing and recycling what we make. It is resulting in greater technological advances than were previously thought possible. One advance is in the field of plastic recycling, where plastic waste is being transformed into various fabrics and forms of … [Read more...]
SA recycling sector receives technology boost
Innovative technology to track, trace and record the trading in recyclable materials is being rolled out across South Africa. The move is set to empower recycling SMMEs, strengthen the value chain and promote the economic inclusion of the informal sector. In a move set to revolutionise how recyclable materials are traded, tracked and traced in South Africa, an innovative … [Read more...]
