The anticipated Cleanup and Recycle 2024 Campaign was launched at a seminar in Durban last week. Several local environmental champions received Plastics SA’s prestigious Caroline Reid Eco-Warrior Award which is awarded annually to individuals or groups who display an unwavering commitment to protecting the country’s rivers and waterways. The recipients from KwaZulu Natal included the Clean Surf Project, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Wild Oceans and the Inkwazi Isu River Catchment Project, North Durban Honorary Officers, KZN Beach Clean-up, Cleansing and Solid Waste Services (CSM) SAAMBR and Sustainable Seas Trust (SST).

Chris Whyte, a renowned environmentalist and founder of numerous organisations such as USE-IT, Sustainable Tech, Pyrolysis Group SDG Africa, ImagineIF, and Africa Circular Economy, received a special award from Plastics SA. Whyte, a dedicated member and chairman of the National Recycling Forum and the KZN Marine Waste Network, was recognised for his unwavering passion and vision in protecting the environment and promoting a circular economy.

The recipients based in other provinces will receive their awards in weeks to come.

In an impressive demonstration of community spirit, Saturday saw volunteers rallying for a beach clean-up at Umbogintwini Beach in celebration of World Oceans Day on 8 June. Partnering with Plastics SA, Clean Surf Project, Sapphire Coast Tourism, the Inkwazi Isu River Catchment Project and 300 children from local schools, the group collected 300 bags of litter —amounting to nearly one ton of waste that will not reach the ocean.

This year’s Clean-Up And Recycle SA week will take place from 16 – 21 September 2024 and includes several key dates aimed at mobilising communities nationwide:

• Clean-Up and Recycle Week SA: 16 – 21 September
• National River Clean-up Day: 18 September
• National Recycling Day: 20 September
• National Clean-Up Day: 21 September
• World Clean-Up Day: 21 September
• International Coastal Clean-up: 21 September

For more information on the Clean-up and Recycle Campaign, kindly visit www.cleanupandrecycle.co.za