Cape Town celebrated Global Recycling Day in 2024 with a unique strategy focused on education and community involvement. The day included the participation of Bingo, a popular antilitter mascot, and the launch of the Clean Up and Recycle Project to heighten awareness about recycling. Students also received handson learning about responsible waste disposal and recycling at the Kraaifontein Integrated Waste Management facility. The city’s commitment to a sustainable waste culture serves as a model for cities worldwide.
Hope Sonic is a manufacturing plant in South Africa that creates toys from recycled plastic, primarily obtained from waste pickers. The plant is committed to sustainability, using solar power for 2024% of its daily energy demands and aiming to transition to renewable energy completely. The predominantly female workforce embodies the company’s values of empowerment and growth. Hope Sonic serves as a model for green manufacturing and environmentally friendly businesses.
Mogamat is a hero who sifts through discarded waste in Cape Town’s wealthy neighborhoods, looking for recyclables. He is part of a group of unsung heroes who recycle waste, ensuring that plastic and metal do not end up in landfills. Despite the challenges he faces, Mogamat is driven by a dedication to his family and a desire to avoid turning to crime. His work highlights the potential for an alternative waste economy and reminds us of our collective duty towards the planet.
Bingo, the antilitter mascot of Cape Town, visited Delft Library to teach children about the importance of waste management. The visit was part of the SpringCleanCT campaign, which aims to combat littering and illegal dumping by promoting community cleanups and encouraging reporting of offenders. The campaign advocates the use of social media to share images and stories of communities participating in the initiative. Bingo’s journey through Cape Town is an inventive and creative way to address environmental concerns and inspire the younger generation to create a more sustainable and cleaner city.
Cape Town is set to host a global event on June 5th, 2023 the World Environment Day (WED) 2023. This year’s theme, “# Beat Plastic Pollution,” will be spearheaded by South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Barbara Creecy, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The focus is on tackling all forms of waste and pollution, with particular emphasis on the detrimental impact of plastic.
The South African government has recently released draft amendments to the regulations and notices pertaining to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for public consultation. These amendments are meant to provide technical clarifications for the regulated industry and stakeholders and address electrical and electronic equipment products, the lighting sector, and paper, packaging, and some singleuse products. This article aims to give an overview of the key proposed changes and the consultation process.
Cape Town’s municipal authorities have introduced a groundbreaking pilot project to combat the issue of waste management in community residential units (CRUs). The initiative aims to tackle the problem of overflowing bins and illegal dumping that often plague areas inhabited by backyard tenants. The ultimate goal of the project is to improve community health and cleanliness.
Recycling cardboard is often viewed as a way to reduce waste and protect the environment, but for six women in Durban, South Africa, it is much more than that. These women, all single mothers, rely on recycling cardboard to survive and provide for their families.
The CBD Regeneration Project is an initiative to provide sustainable livelihoods and employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness in Cape Town. The Enterprise and Investment Department of the Economic Growth Directorate and NPO Khulisa Solutions fund the project. Since its inception, the project has recruited hundreds of homeless individuals who have been trained and employed in various communities throughout the City.
The Sustainable Trendsetters Buildathon event has raised awareness of the importance of recycling and waste reduction. This event has significantly promoted environmental sustainability and encouraged people to rethink their relationship with waste. ## Youth Participation Demonstrates Environmental Awareness