The Fight Against Plastic Pollution: World Environment Day 2023 in Cape Town

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 Plastic Pollution Issue

With an annual production of 353 million tonnes of plastic waste worldwide, plastic pollution is a growing concern. This durable material takes a long time to disintegrate, often ending up in our oceans and causing significant harm to marine ecosystems. To address this issue, WED 2023 aims to seek innovative ways to put an end to plastic pollution.

The Recycling Tour

To commemorate the event, Minister Creecy will embark on a tour of two recycling plants in Cape Town, both supported by Producer Responsibility Organizations, POLYCO and PETCO. Members of the media are invited to join the Minister on this insightful journey.

The first stop on the tour is Waste Want, a recycling facility that began as a small collection company selling recycling material. Today, Waste Want successfully diverts 1,000 tonnes of waste per month, employing around 200 people, improving local community recycling, and addressing waste processing backlogs.

Next on the itinerary is CRDC SA RESIN8, a processing facility that converts plastic waste into an aggregate modifier for the construction industry. With the new facility, CRDC will increase its processing capacity to 610 tonnes of plastic waste monthly, producing 725 tonnes of RESIN8. This innovative project collaborates with various existing waste reclaimers.

Beach Clean-up

The WED 2023 commemoration will culminate with a beach clean-up at Macassar Beach in Khayelitsha, Ward 109. This symbolic act of environmental protection will showcase the commitment of Minister Creecy and the global community in tackling plastic pollution.

World Environment Day 2023 in Cape Town is a significant event in the ongoing battle against plastic pollution. The innovative approaches showcased by Waste Want and CRDC SA RESIN8 offer potential solutions towards a cleaner, greener future. As the world comes together to commemorate this event, we are reminded of the importance of innovation and collaboration in overcoming the challenges posed by plastic pollution.