NATIONAL recycling day is upon us and Highway residents are urged to go green on Friday 19 September.
According to statistics released by the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa, it is estimated that only five per cent of South African homes recycle paper and cardboard. “Chances are that millions of tons of recyclable paper are going to a landfill every year.This paper degrades along with other food waste, adding to the levels of greenhouse gases in the air we breathe. Methane is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide,” said Ursula Henneberry, the operations director for PRASA.
Last year 1.2 million tons of paper were recycled, which saved 3.5 million cubic metres of landfill space, which is equivalent to 1403 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Tips to start recycling:
-Invest in a paper only bin at your home or office
-Ensure the recycled paper remains dry and clean.
-Find a drop off point closest to you at www.mywaste.co.za. These include drop off points at schools and community organisations which in turn generate funds from the paper.
What can be recycled:
Magazines (including glossy magazines), newspapers, brochures, office paper, shredded paper, cardboard (cereal boxes medicine boxes and tissue boxes), carton board and liquid board packaging, which includes beverage and food cartons.
What can’t be recycled:
Wet, soiled paper such as used paper plates, disposable nappies, tissues and toilet paper, foil, gift wrapping, carbon paper, wax coated, foil lined or laminated boxes, used cement bags as well as pet food bags.
For more information on paper and paper recycling visit www.thepaperstory.co.za or www.prasa.co.za.
