River clean up curbs pollution

THE Adopt-a-River team coordinated a river clean up to celebrate World Rivers Day on Sunday, 27 September.

Janet Simpkins of Adopt a River, said they collaborated with a few partners including: Adopt-a-River’s ADreach Group team, the Zero Waste Foundation (sponsored by Don’t Waste), Green Corridors and The Litterboom Project.

“The lower section of the Palmiet River was selected as this is a pollution ‘hot-spot’. The aim is to clear as much of the solid waste here before the summer rains come and it’s washed downstream into the uMngeni River. The blitz clean (to beat the threatening rain) managed to clear over 150 bags of river waste. All this was loaded into a Don’t Waste truck for removal to landfill,” said Simpkins.

Also read: Tap into the Clean Rivers campaign to keep rivers pollution free

Addressing litter upstream is a key she said.

“Green Corridors have worked together with the local community to establish a waste management plan, this has had a positive impact on the river, however there is still some way to go in clearing what was there to begin with and managing what comes from higher upstream,” said Simpkins.

“It’s going to require a continued team effort, continuation of the waste management plan and hopefully a local recycling initiative in the near future to realise the desired outcome,” she added.

Also read: Rife river pollution threatens water supply

Cameron Service of The Litterboom Project said litter is expected to wash down stream as rainfall increases.

“We are on the brink of La Ninã with big rainfalls expected in KZN for the next five months, so we need everyone to work together in order to tackle the effects this will have on the environment and oceans. We need more teams on the ground and for Solid Waste to work with NGOs and NPOs to have a meaningful impact over this challenging period,” he said.

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