Pinetown company joins river clean-up
Zeta Laboratories staff collected 15 bags of litter during their clean-up of the Palmiet River along Harley Street.
FOLLOWING many incidents of pollution at the Palmiet River, staff from Zeta Laboratories, a Pinetown-based company assisted to clean-up the river along Harley Street on Friday.
The staff collected 15 bags that was filled with different kinds of litter which gets washed away into rivers.
CEO of Zeta Laboratories, Yasheen Modi said his family home was along the Palmiet River.
“As a child, we played in the water and I was shocked to see the poor water quality and the trash that is being washed down the river. I decided to make sure that one day my children will be able to play in the river,” said Modi.
Modi said he has made a commitment to take his staff on a regular basis to clean the river.
“We intend on developing and sponsoring a system that will help prevent plastic from washing in to the ocean without harming fish and other life in the river. We have created awareness among our 300 staff members and have made them conscious about the impact plastic waste has on our environment and aquatic life. They all have bought in to the ideals of a plastic free river for the long term sustainability of our marine habitats which will one day benefit their children,” explained Modi
He added that he hoped more companies in the Highway area will join the fight to save rivers.
Lee D’Eathe, Palmiet River Watch Champion said he was excited to see Zeta Laboratories CEO, Yasheen Modi with his staff clearing trash and committing themselves to help win back the health of the Palmiet River.
Lee said nothing will change until the businesses become partners with the Palmiet River Watch’s vision of a pollution free environment.
“This is hopefully the long awaited breakthrough, someone with a passion and personal interest in the river,” said Lee.
Lee who has just completed an assessment said it was heart-breaking to see most of the creatures that live in the Palmiet River have been obliterated by wave after wave of pollution and aggressive storm water flow.
“Even the side streams are badly affected, and this is where the aquatic creatures should survive and where other animals can feed; the birds, fish, bats, mongoose and reptiles have nowhere else to go,” he added.
