Be a champ for your community and recycle
Leading by example is Highway Mail's very own reporter, Lloyd Mackenzie, who has, since the beginning of this year made significant contributions to the Kloof and Highway SPCA by donating empty milk bottles for one of their recycling programmes.
WHETHER it’s because they want to do their bit to help save the planet or they see it as an opportunity to make an income, South Africans are recycling more than ever before.
Also read: Go green and support these recycling spots near you
According to the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (PRASA), the annual paper recovery rate has increased by two per cent year-on-year since 2012 and is currently at 68.4 per cent. PET Recycling Company (PETCO) reports that plastic bottle recycled tonnage has grown by 822 per cent since 2005.
These figures point to a growing awareness of recycling, but more importantly they show that South Africans are taking action and making a concerted effort to do the right thing.
Highway Mail reporter, Lloyd Mackenzie since the beginning of this year has made significant contributions to the Kloof and Highway SPCA by donating empty milk bottles for one of their recycling programmes.
He recently dropped off three bags full of 2l plastic milk containers.
“Not only does this help a worthy organisation, but it also keeps plastic from our dump sites. If I can collect this many from my work (and friends) every two weeks – imagine how much good we could do if everyone got involved?” he wrote on his Facebook page, encouraging his friends to start recycling.
The Department of Environmental Affairs reports that less than 20 per cent of waste is recycled annually, meaning most of the country’s recyclable materials continues to go to landfill.
Why recycle?
There are tangible benefits to be derived from recycling.
Mpact Recycling managing director, John Hunt, said while the country’s citizens may have a general understanding of the benefits of recycling, they may not realise just how much good they are doing.
Also read: Recycling your metals matter
“The environmental impact of recycling is enormous. According to the Department of Environmental Affairs’ South African Waste Information Centre, more than 19.2 million tonnes of general waste and one million tonnes of hazardous waste went to South Africa’s 133 landfill sites in 2017.”
“We are running out of landfill space in South Africa. In 2016, three landfill sites were closed in Pretoria. These are sites that were meant to have an additional lifespan of about 25 years.”
This means that every item that is recycled is one less item going to the country’s strained landfill sites.
Less waste to landfill means a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately less of a negative impact on the environment. By recycling waste, South Africans are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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