IN the run up to Clean Up and Recycle Week from 12 to 17 September, the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (PRASA) extended its thanks to Highway residents following the release of the 2015 paper recycling statistics for South Africa.
Two thirds of the nation’s potentially recoverable paper and cardboard was recycled during the course of last year, which totaled an impressive 1.2 million tonnes.
“To put this into perspective, a similar volume of material would have occupied 3.6 million cubic metres of landfill space. Or perhaps imagine 1 435 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” said Ursula Henneberry, PRASA operations director.
More can be done to improve recycling and waste habits. “There is little or no difference between the effort needed to simply discard paper into a rubbish bin versus putting it into a recycling bin, but the rewards for recycling are boundless.” she said.
“Recycling creates jobs – from the people who walk the streets collecting recyclables to bigger companies which employ individuals to collect and sort recyclables.” It is estimated that about 100 000 people earn a living from recycling across various waste streams.
Items which easily lend themselves to the paper recycling process include:
Magazines and brochures, including the glossy varieties.
Milk, juice and food cartons (rinsed and flattened).
Newspapers
Office materials such as shredded papers and envelopes.
Cardboard boxes of any kind. These can include dry food from cereal boxes, medicine and cosmetic boxes to toilet and kitchen paper roll cores and flattened packing cartons.
Old telephone directories and discarded hardcover and paperback books.
Paper gift-wrapping materials.
Materials that should not be included in the paper recycling process:
Wet or dirty paper and cardboard.
Sticky notes
Wax coated, foil lined and laminated products.
Used paper plates, disposable nappies, tissues and toilet paper.
Cement and dog food bags.
Foil gift wrapping and carbon paper.
