Research has shown that 80% of litter found in oceans, originates inland. Due to human behaviour of littering and lack of waste management, waste finds its way into rivers which eventually lead to our oceans.
The plastics industry and partners are taking action by identifying river catchment areas in the various provinces and assisting with solutions to the problem of litter in our waterways.
One of Plastics SA’s most successful environmental programmes is the River Catchment Project, implemented across five provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Rivers and streams are an important part of South Africa’s water network. Unfortunately, they are often badly polluted by chemicals, sewage, plastics and other visible litter caused by drains and water channels leading from roads as well as communities living in close proximity to the river banks and where there is no waste management system in place.
Rivers are the arteries that carry water and life to areas all around the world. Not only do they sustain life, they also play a very important part in the water cycle and act as drainage channels for surface water. Unfortunately, they additionally transport litter that has been carelessly discarded many kilometres upstream down to the sea and into the marine environment.
South Africa has ten major rivers that cross the length and breadth of South Africa, namely the mighty Orange River in the Northern Cape/Free State), Limpopo River (Limpopo), Vaal River (Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northern Cape), Tugela River (KwaZulu-Natal), Olifants River (Limpopo / Mpumalanga), Gamtoos River (Eastern Cape), Great Kei River (Western Cape), Komati River (Mpumalanga), Great Fish River (Eastern Cape) and Molopo River (North-West).
River Clean-Up Day was launched in response to the many enquiries we receive from members of the public, municipalities and corporates who want to get involved in the International Coastal Clean-Up and World Clean-up Day, (Saturday, 16 September) but can’t because they are based inland and far away from the ocean. Now everybody can make a difference and help to keep our oceans healthy, regardless of where they live!
We encourage communities around South Africa to get involved in River Clean-Up Day by removing litter from rivers, streams, canals and any inland water sources in their immediate area. By recycling the plastics that are removed, you not only protect the health of the rivers, you also keep plastics out of the ocean, support the efforts of waste pickers and help to grow the recycling industry. Every action, no matter how small, reduces the volume of plastic waste that reaches the ocean and ends up making a big difference to our environment and oceans.
Read more about some of the eco-warriors who save our rivers!
As a result of the success of the Fishing Line Bin project, more than 386 bins can now be found at most of the popular angling beaches around South Africa’s coastline, with plans to extend this number to 500 reaching as far afield as Mozambique. More than 350 kg’s of discarded fishing line have already been removed, some of which has been recycled into bush cutters line. In excess of 500 fishing hooks have also been retrieved from these bins.
These fishing line bins stand 60 cm high and act as repositories for used, discarded monofilament fishing line. Off-cuts of PVC pipe (donated by MacNeil Plastics) are used to create a uniquely shaped 60cm tall bin with a U-Bend end-piece that prevents the lines from being blown away. They are also resistant to the elements and corrosion and therefore ideal for long-term use on beaches.
Discarded fishing material (nets, mono filament line, and Cray fish trap anchor ropes) is responsible for damage to marine life. What makes it especially dangerous is that it cuts into the skin and flesh of larger mammals (i.e. seals). The material is also dangerous for human swimmers and boating as it can damage propellers of boats. By increasing public awareness about the negative impact of fishing line debris on marine life, water quality, and human welfare, the project’s goal is to reduce the amount of fishing line entering and remaining in the marine environment.
Plastics SA, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Southern Africa (WESSA), MacNeil Plastics, DPI Plastics and the South African Plastics Pipe Makers Association (SAPPMA) are building a nationwide network of monofilament recycling locations to make proper disposal of fishing line more accessible.
The Fishing lines bins are proudly installed at Blyde River Cabins, Limpopo; Elephant Rock Eco Estate at their fishing dam, Herrel Farms at dams and rivers near Orpen Road; Klaserie Reserve on dams and the Klaserie River. A bin is also being used in the Timbavati Foundation Wildlife children’s museum to educate visiting children.
Who should get involved: Marinas, Fishing Clubs, Local Organisations, concerned citizens
Volunteer to install and maintain a monofilament recycling location. We will, with kind donation from DPI plastics provide you with your own monofilament recycling bin.
- Install the bin in a high traffic fishing area and regularly maintain it, separate any collected material and send the collected line to Plastics SA for processing.
- Track the amount of line you collect through our online database.
Where: A high traffic fishing area in your area (marinas, boat launches, parks, etc.)
Interested?
Email us and let us know if you would be interested.
Litter booms have been installed in the Umhlanga lagoon in KZN, thanks to environmentalists in the area as well as Plastics SA. The boom was designed to trap litter and prevent it from entering the ocean and was launched in celebration of World Oceans Day in 2020.
The aim is to reduce the amount of litter that washes into the sea from the Ohlanga river. The litter boom floats on the surface of the water and acts as a trap that prevents all the floating litter from washing down into the estuary and into the sea. It then allows for that litter to be collected at one point. The device does not pose a risk to any species found in the lagoon.
Partners include DPAPP, Durban Green Corridor, Umhlanga UIP, Upper Umhlanga Security Trust, KZN Recycling Form, USE –IT, Tetrapak and AquaAmazing.
Recycling workshops are facilitated in order to educate local collectors, NGOs, waste pickers, EPWP workers, collector cooperatives and individuals, about waste management and economic opportunities in recycling.
Beyond general awareness on plastic production, recycling and waste management, the main aim is to support existing collectors to grow their business into well-run buy-back centres that will assist with the absorption of local recyclables and create more income opportunities. This is achieved through collaboration with stakeholders, who contribute tools of the trade such as scales, bailing machines, trailers etc. Before collectors can receive any support, training is given on the actual day to day operations of a recycling business to equip them with the necessary skills to run the buyback centre.
Captain Fanplastic
For Cleanup and Recycle Week 2024, Plastics SA will be partnering with Captain Fanplastic at the Liesbeek River Clean-up as part of #TheOceanStartsHere campaign which aims to highlight the importance of preventing litter from ending up in the oceans with upstream prevention and awareness in communities. Plastics SA is sponsoring the Educational Toolkit for another local school who will be joining us.
Captain Fanplastic, an education and awareness programme about sustainable plastic use, travels to South African schools to increase children’s environmental literacy through hands-on learning. The first Captain Fanplastic school programme took place in October 2018, and the collaboration aims to reach learners at grassroots level – fostering a ripple effect that extends to homes and communities.
As part of this year’s involvement, Plastics SA sponsored a ‘Plastic Pirate DIY kit’ which teachers will use to educate learners on different outcomes such as the ‘Captain’s 5 Rs’, namely refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. A launch event took place recently at Ithemba Primary School in Capricorn, Western Cape, during which teachers and pupils alike were empowered with the tools and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about plastic consumption and waste management.
Captain Fanplastic aspires to reach one million learners globally by 2030 with the #NoTrashButTreasure campaign,” explains Ruben Hazelzet, Head of Programme for Captain Fanplastic, Creative Director at Soapbox and 2023 UNICEF Young Climate Innovator.
For more information about Captain Fanplastic, https://captainfanplastic.com/
More information on Plastics SA can be found at www.plasticsinfo.co.za
Recycling Workshops
Recycling workshops are facilitated in order to educate local collectors, NGOs, waste pickers, EPWP workers, collector cooperatives and individuals, about waste management and economic opportunities in recycling.
Beyond general awareness on plastic production, recycling and waste management, the main aim is to support existing collectors to grow their business into well-run buy-back centres that will assist with the absorption of local recyclables and create more income opportunities. This is achieved through collaboration with stakeholders, who contribute tools of the trade such as scales, bailing machines, trailers etc. Before collectors can receive any support, training is given on the actual day to day operations of a recycling business to equip them with the necessary skills to run the buyback centre.
One of the various projects that we support and collaborate with is the Inkwazi Isu River Catchment Project in Durban.
Inkwazi Isu was recently one of the distinguished award recipients of the Caroline Reid Award in KZN. Other recipients in KZN included the Clean Surf Project, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Wild Oceans, North Durban Honorary Officers, KZN Beach Clean-up, Cleansing and Solid Waste Services (CSM) SAAMBR and Sustainable Seas Trust (SST).
In an impressive demonstration of community spirit, Saturday, 8 June, saw volunteers rallying for a beach clean-up at Umbogintwini Beach in celebration of World Oceans Day. Partnering with Plastics SA, Clean Surf Project, Sapphire Coast Tourism, and the Inkwazi Isu River Catchment Project and 300 children from local schools collected 300 bags of litter—amounting to nearly one ton of waste that will not reach the ocean.
Our river catchment projects focus on waste management and recycling, education and awareness, clean-ups , innovation and technology, and other projects, supporting litterbooms and various beach and river clean-ups. Watch the latest video
We recognise that we cannot do this alone and that forming partnerships with communities and teams dedicated to environmental conservation is crucial.
As the umbrella body for the plastics industry, Plastics SA continues to play an active role in promoting recycling and waste management initiatives across Cape Town, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that plastics do not end up in the environment.
Recently, Plastics SA donated more than 10 000 plastic bags to various organisations that work tirelessly to prevent solid waste from entering river systems and to divert it from landfills.
Handing over of equipment: Left to Right: Deputy Minister Sello Seithlolo; CEO Overberg Water Board – Dr P.Buthelezi; Provincial Head Water and Sanitation -Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa; Deputy Mayor Theewaterskloof Municipality; Councillor Cynthia Clayton and Lynnette De Bruyn-Davids from the Soul Food Harmony Group
Supporting the Ministerial Clear River Campaign
One of the key initiatives supported by Plastics SA is the Clear River Campaign—a national effort launched by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seithlolo, to keep rivers clean and protect South Africa’s vital water systems.
As part of this initiative, Plastics SA donated 2 000 plastic bags to the Soul Food Harmony Group in Grabouw to encourage recycling and waste collection efforts in the area.
In his address, Deputy Minister Seithlolo emphasised the urgent need to protect river systems and highlighted the importance of educating children about environmental care so that they grow up to become responsible citizens. He urged that pollution should be classified as a national crisis.
Commitment to Cleaner Rivers and a Circular Economy
Plastics SA remains committed to supporting community-driven initiatives that not only keep plastics out of rivers and landfills but also reinforce the principles of a circular economy. Through partnerships with government and local organisations, these efforts continue to make a measurable impact on South Africa’s waste management and water conservation goals.
