South African local plastics companies will carry out a clean-up and recycle campaign to remove litter from the country’s rivers and waterways this September, according to local trade association Plastics SA.
Organised by Plastics SA, the campaign is returning to South Africa for the 23rd year and will take place 16-21 September.
Originally started as a project between the South African plastics industry and Ezemvelo/KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife in 1996, the week-long event has grown to include the participation of all the packaging streams, including paper, glass, metal and tetra packaging.
In addition, major plastic raw material suppliers, converters, brand owners and retailers, as well as those involved in recycling take part in the campaign, according to Douw Steyn, sustainability director of Plastics SA.
Communities, businesses, schools, environmental groups and government departments are encouraged to host their own clean-ups in their areas during the week, and where possible, Plastics SA will support these activities by donating branded garbage disposal bags as well as offering advice.
Last year, over 19,500 volunteers collected 240,000 items in audited clean-ups that took place along the South Africa’s 2 500km-long coastline.
The biggest pollutants included broken down plastic pieces, foam pieces, cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, glass pieces, beverage bottles, straws and lolly sticks.
South Africa clean-up week set for September
Plastics SA