South Africans Rally Against Litter as Plastics SA Marks 30 Years of Clean-up Action

Thousands of South Africans answered Plastics SA’s “It Starts With Me” call to action throughout the month of September, collecting litter, separating recyclables and taking responsibility for the places where they live, work and learn. Their efforts marked 30 years of Plastics SA’s clean-up campaign, with Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week taking place from 14–20 September.

Among the highlights were more than 1,100 kg of waste collected across Cape Town clean-up campaigns and approximately 1,000 learners from 34 schools joining the “Sea the Change” event at Durban’s Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve.

“What encouraged us most was seeing people of all ages getting involved and taking pride in their surroundings. Every clean-up takes effort, planning and people willing to give their time. We are grateful to the coordinators, volunteers and partners who made this year’s campaign possible and who continue to support it, 30 years after it began,” says Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director at Plastics SA.

Highlights of the week

In Cape Town, Polyoak Packaging’s Strandfontein Beach clean-up on 12 September helped build momentum ahead of the national week.

Coordinated by Louisa Genenker of Polyoak Packaging and supported by Plastics SA, PETCO, Polyco and CleanC, the event saw employees, industry partners and community stakeholders joined in efforts to remove litter and prevent packaging waste from entering the marine environment.

Across campaigns at Muizenberg, Strand Beach and Milnerton/Woodbridge, more than 1,100 kg of waste was collected. This included 700 kg removed from Sunrise Beach by Visions for Change and its partners. Volunteers at Strand Beach collected 41 bags of litter, with CL Trading participating as the recycling partner. Bottle tops, straws and cigarette butts were among the items recovered.

Plastics SA also recognised Lisa Starr of the Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement, Khotso Matlohane from Hotlane and Margo Adonis from Visions for Change for their leadership and coordination.

In Durban, the International Coastal Clean-up on 19 September covered Dakota, Reunion and Cuttings beaches. Hosted by eThekwini Municipality, with support from Durban Green Corridors through the East Coast Recycling Partnership, it involved Durban University of Technology, Coastal College, local schools, municipal teams, corporate partners and community volunteers.

The Cuttings Beach clean-up yielded approximately 550 bags of mixed waste and 20 bags of recyclables, while around 70 bags of mixed waste were collected at Reunion Beach. Substantial quantities were also removed from Dakota Beach. Recovered materials included packaging, bottles, caps, disposable cups and cutlery, alongside other marine debris.

The two-bag “Buddy Pair” collection system helped volunteers separate recyclables from residual waste destined for landfill, supporting recovery through the East Coast Recycling Partnership.

Explains Steyn: “Separating materials during a clean-up helps connect environmental action with recycling. The partnerships behind these events are essential. Volunteers need collection support and access to recycling channels so that the materials they recover can be put to further use.”

Also on 19 September, the “Sea the Change” event at Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve brought together approximately 1,000 learners from 34 schools. Participants included the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, North Durban Honourary Officers, Mangosuthu University of Technology, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Producer Responsibility Organisations and community members.

A two-hour coastal clean-up was followed by waste weighing and recording. Educational sessions addressed biodiversity, marine pollution, micro- and nanoplastics, and recycling, linking immediate action with the protection of estuaries and coastal ecosystems. Recording collected waste also provided an opportunity to better understand recurring litter types and inform prevention efforts.

The importance of community partnerships was echoed by Sustainable Seas Trust’s Operation Clean Spot, which connects municipalities, schools, businesses, collection partners and local organisations to support community ownership of cleaner spaces.

Plastics SA thanked all participating volunteers, organisers and partners for their contributions, including the corporate supporters of Durban’s coastal activities which included Toyota SA, Cataler SA, SAB, Mondi, SANPC, Tiger Brands, Coca-Cola, Polyco, Unilever and Sanitech. Their involvement alongside educational institutions and municipal teams demonstrated how businesses can support local clean-up efforts by working with the organisations and volunteers already active in their communities across Durban.

“The hard work and commitment of our partners continue beyond the clean-ups. Over the next few weeks, we will be reviewing and analysing the audit reports to map the most common types of litter found on our beaches, in rivers and streams, and around inland water sources. Together with participation figures, these findings will help us build a clearer picture of South Africa’s waste landscape and identify where we, as an industry, can respond more effectively and support community initiatives. The awareness week may have ended, but keeping our communities clean remains a shared, year-round responsibility,” concludes Steyn.

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Author: Keaoleboha Sefako from Aim Marketing & Communications Consultants on behalf of Plastics SA.

Read More at MyPR.co.za

Mail & Guardian: This is a South African weekly newspaper that provides news and analysis on a range of topics.