Most rural and semi urban areas in South Africa face challenges when it comes to implementing waste management and recycling strategies. These challenges include: Inadequate waste volumes generated to sustain recycling initiatives in small rural villages A lack of accessible markets for rural areas to sell their waste Poor municipal service delivery leading to waste … [Read more...]
An eco logical approach to packaging
Like packaging, which preserves and protects products, Nampak preserves and protects the environment against the impact of packaging manufacture and waste. “As Africa’s largest and most diversified packaging company, we participate in extensive recycling initiatives and continue to invest significant resources into the development of more sustainable products so that … [Read more...]
R10 million towards zero plastic waste to landfill
Zero plastic to landfil by 2030 is the ambitious target for caring companies in this country. One of the new kids on the plastic recycling block is POLYCO, working on the recycling of Polyolefin plastic. Addressing POLYCO members and the media during their AGM, Jeremy Mackintosh stated that POLYCO has already succeeded in carving out a name for itself since it was created by … [Read more...]
Landfill gas increases by 72% leading to climate change
The growing environmental impact landfill sites have in South Africa needs to be addressed and every citizen can help reduce their waste footprint. World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nation’s (UN) vehicle to promote the importance of looking after the environment. This annually takes place on 05 June. The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) … [Read more...]
Earth Girls walk the talk & clean up communities
A colourful and buzzing atmosphere filled the Bloubos valley and spruit area, south of Johannesburg on Saturday when Miss Earth South Africa semi finalists spent the morning with around 150 Generation Earth students from across Gauteng, families and friends who came out and spent the morning in the winter sun. In honour of National Environment Week which will be celebrated … [Read more...]
Increased litter collection and recycling at the “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon”
Marathons are no longer the wasteful events they used to be, as the recycling industry comes to the pavements and cleans up every scrap. This year marked the 8th occasion that Plastics|SA was involved in cleaning the waste generated by runners and supporters alike at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. According to John Kieser, Sustainability Manager at Plastics|SA, the … [Read more...]
Ensure your e-waste is responsibly recycled
Now that the e-waste collection day is over, there is no reason to stop ensuring that your electronic waste is always recycled in a responsible manner. This is NOT placing it outsideyour home for some curb collectors to pick up. Those items are often roughly stripped, exposing people to toxic chemicals, then dumped in nature. On Saturday the Electronic Waste Association of … [Read more...]
Decade of PET recyling brings benefits across the board
Did you know that after ten years in the industry almost half of all our PET beverage bottles are now recycled? That is 1.9 billion bottles per year diverted from the waste stream. The PET Recycling Company (Pty) Ltd was registered on the 3rd November 2004 and their first set of Directors included the late Rob Rodger, Bob Naidoo, Syd Carter, Roger Thomas, Mandla Tisani, … [Read more...]
Greyton aims to phase out plastic bags
From the 3rd of July 2014 (International plastic bag free day), Greyton aims to become South Africa’s first town to phase out single use plastic shopping bags. This is a drive initiated by Greyton Transition Town (GTT) and supported and assisted by Hayley McLellan from Rethink the Bag. This is just one of the many creative waste reduction programmes run in Greyton. Green … [Read more...]
Home gardens prove resourceful in the face of adversity
The Cape Flats is a windswept, crime-ravaged area in Cape Town, South Africa, that’s beset by apathy, unemployment, and substance abuse. Underprivileged communities live here in grim housing blocks pockmarked by gunfire, or in shacks packed tightly together in the unmistakable press of poverty. Empty lots are choked with refuse and municipal buildings are surrounded by fencing … [Read more...]
Give your office a green thumbprint this Green Office Week
Next week is Green Office Week (GOW) which is intended to raise awareness of the importance of eco-friendly offices and inform office workers that they too can make a positive impact on the environment whilst at work. Your office will be healthier and make financial sense Although some organisations are already making clear statements about their green products or services … [Read more...]
Cape Town crowned the world’s Earth Hour Capital for sustainability efforts
Cape Town is the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Global Earth Hour’s City Capital for 2014. The announcement was made at a ceremony in Vancouver, Canada – which won the award in 2013. This accolade is a prestigious honour that recognises the city’s innovative actions on climate change and its dedication to pursuing the goal of a sustainable urban environment. Cape Town … [Read more...]
Forewarned is forearmed: shifting waste laws
Understanding the legal issues in the waste industry is important for entrepreneurs to enter this growing sector of our society. PETCO’s Law and Order: An Overview of Waste Law in South Africa workshop was hosted on 18 March in Cape Town. Attended by more than 60 delegates, the workshop answered some of the key questions relating to the legal aspects of waste management and … [Read more...]
