INDEX Plastic Waste - dilemma in a bag Who's to blame for the Pacific Gyre? Plastic Bags vindicated in marine environment Department of Public Works Waste Management Project in Soshanguve Litterbugs - ZERO TOLERANCE Need Assistance with your Clean-ups? Visit www.cleanup-SA.co.za www.cleanup-SA.co.za International Coastal Cleanup - biggest 1-day volunteer event. Visit www.cleanup-SA.co.za for more details. Plastics Federation supports Big Events EWT - Keeping the Inland Connections Clean How YOU can contribute to healthy river and coastal ecosystems Do you have a "carbon footprint" All you need to know about reducing your carbon footprint

The plastics and packaging industries are not responsible for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Instead we need to focus on blaming illegal dumping, poor waste management and littering.

The Plastics Federation of South Africa condemns poor waste management and far too frequent marine littering for the huge swathe of rubbish that has been dubbed the world’s rubbish dump. Known officially as the North Pacific Gyre, the gigantic floating patch of debris is characterised by exceptionally high concentrations of suspended plastics – many of which are believed to come from food and beverage containers.

Situated some 1,000 miles off the US west coast, the vortex of trash has been formed by wind and water currents from tons of plastic containers that end up in the ocean after either being blown off land by the wind, spread via rivers and beaches or from overflowing sewage systems; and being dumped from ships. The rubbish does not biodegrade and instead lies suspended at or beneath the surface of the water, disintegrating over time – both are serious issues opposite marine life and the food chain.

The sprawling mass of garbage should definitely not exist. We simply need to stop those practices that cause the problem. Improvements in waste management on shore and at sea; as well as providing better education and awareness against littering are all needed.

Hazards to marine life:

Recent findings declare that the gyre is far larger than previously thought. Disturbingly, scientists from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of San Diego found that most of the rubbish has disintegrated into tiny plastic bits – some the size of a thumbnail or smaller – raising fears they could be harming sea life that may be ingesting them, and humans that eat the sea creatures.

“They’re the right size to be interacting with the food chain out there.” The team also found examples of barnacles clamped onto plastic water bottles, prompting the team to begin studying the marine life that inhabits the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The 2009 study by the University of Amsterdam (M Gorycka) highlights similar and other disturbing findings.

Plastics Industry is not responsible:

“The Plastics Industry does not put plastic into the rivers, lakes and seas. This is caused by consumer littering, illegal dumping and especially by land- based poor waste management. The Industry needs waste plastics to be recycled or to provide much needed energy through energy from waste incineration.

International co-operation is needed to make this work, it is a Global problem.”

The Plastics Federation backs the United Nations Environmental programme's report in 2008 that highlighted the difficulties in obtaining accurate information and called for a raft of measures – including integrated waste management to tackle litter; improved port waste collection facilities; and stronger economic incentives, fines, and enforcement.

In South Africa there is much to do to curtail littering and the Plastics Federation, in concert with others, is driving projects and programmes to do just that. In addition the Federation devotes resources to assisting with better waste management activities. The implementation of the National Waste Management Act will bring about marked changes and the Federation is an essential player in this implementation strategy.

The Coastal Clean-up Co-ordinator for South Africa is John Kieser, who ensures that this mammoth job continues. John enjoys the fact that the Cleanup revolves around a very positive atmosphere of community involvement. School children, for whom water pollution is part of the curriculum, flock to Cleanup sites every year. Thirty-eight schools in the Western Cape are involved in beach monitoring through an Adopt-a-Beach program, and John helps raise litter awareness at major sporting events. A government anti-poverty program pays poor people to clean up litter. But none of this progress could happen without the energy and ideas of coordinators like John. Well done John!

To read the findings of the International Coastal Cleanup 2008, which provides a country-by-country, state-by-state breakdown of trash in our ocean and waterways visit www.oceanconservancy.org OR download the full report (PDF).

For the results of the 2009 International Coastal Cleanup, or to sign up as a volunteer for this year's coastal cleanup activities - visit www.cleanup-SA.co.za

Back to the top

One of the Enviromark's "Plastics Litter Strategies" for 2009 and beyond is to identify and support BIG EVENTS such as sports, concerts and rallies and to gear up for a world event such as the 2010 World Cup Soccer. Together with PETCO, Buyisa-e-Bag, PSPC, WastePlan, the Ocean Conservancy and Nampak Liquid Packaging, the Enviromark assists with plastics waste management of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Race,the Amashova Cycle Race, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathons and the 94.7 cycle race. The Enviromark team, armed with bright yellow T-shirts, caps, refuse bags and loads of enthusiasm, focus on creating an awareness of the litter generated at such events. They encourage the public to "THINK TWICE and TAKE THE STEP" towards an effective clean-up campaign during and after the race. The good news is that all plastics sachets and bottles collected will be recycled.       What is Event Greening? • Simplymaking socially and environmentally responsible decisions when organizing or participating in an event • Incorporating sustainable development principles into all levels of event organization • Ensuring that an event is hosted responsibly   The Vision of Event Greening • To reduce the consumption of resources • To avoid damage to the local and global environment • To protect biodiversity and human health • To take ecological, social and economic aspects into account for future-orientated city development • To offer sustainable development options to the local people and economy       The Enviromark Objectives in Big Events Participation: • Education and awareness • Litter awareness • Recovery and recycling • Information and communication Two main areas of support have been identified regarding Big Sporting Events namely:       Education, Litter Awareness and Communication Sporting events provide one of the most influential ways in which to reach people and leave an environmentally friendly imprint. Sport in general has a major role to play in the implementation of the agenda of the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development. Additionally, major events create remarkable opportunities to improve and to remodel a communities’ attitude to issues of sustainability.   Recovery and Recycling All large events create a huge amount of waste and clearly, efficient waste management can ensure that the waste is reduced and where possible, recycled. The Enviromark provides guidance and training to the appointed waste management company or municipality regarding the recovery and recycling of plastic waste. What are the benefits of Event Greening? • Social and environmental payback • Direct financial cost savings for the various role players - Reducing energy and water costs (reduction in use and efficient technology) - Encouraging waste separation and recycling (contributes to the development of local recyclers, and stimulates local economies) - Purchasing local products • Addresses the triple bottom line (financial, social and environmental costs) • Raises the profile of the event • Provides positive marketing opportunities

Back to the top

As part of National Cleanup week and the International Coastal Clean-up initiative in South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust partnered with Toyota SA (sponsors), the Soul Foundation (coordinators) and others to tackle the clean-up of an 850m section of the Jukskei River. By participating in the event, the EWT aimed to highlight the linkages between inland and coastal ecosystem health. Approximately 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources, much of which stems from poor catchment management leading to polluted rivers which then carry their toxic loads into the oceans. The event served to emphasise the desperate need for improved management of our country’s inland water resources for healthier oceans and coasts and improved national wellbeing.

Gauteng Rivers: fresh water lifelines to the sea
The rivers in Gauteng are essential fresh water resources which provide a variety of environmental goods and services. The City of Johannesburg is unique in that it is the only metropolis in the world which is not located on a navigable river, estuary or seaport. It obtains most of its water via the Vaal River from an adjoining region in Gauteng. Johannesburg straddles the Witwatersrand, a string of low, rocky ridges that forms the watershed between two drainage systems flowing into both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. These catchments drain either into the Klip River in the South or into the Jukskei river in the North. The Klip River a tributary of the Vaal River, flows into the Orange River and ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The Jukskei River, one of the main tributaries of the Crocodile River, flows northwards through the Hartebeespoort dam and ultimately drains into the Indian Ocean.

The Jukskei Catchment: A river system under siege
The 77 650 ha catchment area of the Jukskei drains a large portion of the Witwatersrand. It is bound by Johannesburg in the south, Midrand in the north, Roodepoort in the west, and Kempton Park in the east. This densely populated region impacts negatively on the river water quality. The Jukskei catchment falls into a summer rain- fall area, receiving almost 50% of its rainfall from November to February. Pollution associated with urban run-off, sewage, and industrial activity is prevalent throughout the catchment. Main industrial areas draining into the Jukskei River system include Sebenza, Spartan and Chloorkop in the Modderfontein Spruit catchment, and Kew, Wynberg and Marlboro surrounding Alexandra. The catchment also contains a large number of golf courses and parks.

Unloading the Jukskei - A joint effort
With sponsorship from Toyota SA, the SOUL Foundation efficiently coordinated an effective multiparty clean-up event with participation from a wide variety of dedicated partners including the EWT, members of the Alexandra community, JHB Parks, Pikitup, and the River Rangers. Both the EWT’s Marine and Coastal Working Group (MCWG) and the Conservation Leadership Group (CLG) were involved in the effort. Fifteen students from the Leadership Training Programme (LTP) of the CLG volunteered their time and energy in return for first-hand experience of the threats facing our country’s urban rivers. The activity provided the LTP students with a valuable field-work opportunity in catchment management and conservation communication, towards completion of assignments for a Diploma in Nature Conservation from UNISA. Realogile High School, one of the CLG’s Eco-warrior affiliated schools in Alexandra provided a further contingent of 50 enthusiastic learners under the capable and inspiring guidance of their teacher Ms Ndlovhu. By participating in the event, the learners were exposed to both the negative impacts of such unnecessary human behaviour as well as the potential for each one of us to improve our collective health and wellbeing by appropriate waste management.

A Hefty Achievement
As shown below, impressive loads were collected and removed for proper disposal.

The collective effort was a great success, resulting in a huge positive change in the state/health of this stretch of river and surrounds. In addition to removal of the solid waste that was deposited in the riverbed and riparian zone, the public open space next to the river was rehabilitated and now provides a more attractive and healthy public amenity.

Before the cleanup
After the cleanup

The entire event gained wide print media coverage and was filmed by SATV for inclusion in a forthcoming 50/50 environmental programme feature on the Jukskei River and efforts being made by various parties to improve its quality and health. Future partnership initiatives will include not only maintenance of the stretch of river cleaned, but also implementing plans for sustainable management of the area. This will require a dedicated effort from all responsible decision-makers as well as support from the local shops, businesses, residents and community organisations. The EWT will continue to highlight the catchments to coasts linkages and to promote improved waste management by all individuals country-wide.

The Soul Foundation focuses on cleaning up rivers and setting up an integrated self-sustainable community waste management system. The Soul Foundation is a non profit organisation with Kim Kieser at the helm. Last year, the Soul Foundation embarked on a project in Alexandra, Johannesburg, to restore the Jukskei River, create jobs for the unemployed, teach residents to recycle and provide those working on the project with their own business. The results so far have been amazing. In just four months, there has been more than a 4000 percent increase in recycling, more than 365 tons of waste have been removed from a 1km stretch of the river, and more than R13 000 has been made for Alex Recycling. Contact them at soulf@telkomsa.net

Back to the top