Human Connection – Interwaste Holdings Ltd

Turning the Tide on Marine Plastic Pollution

wont.socialise@gmail.com — Fri, 31 May 2024 19:45:44 +0000

A Call to Embrace Sustainable Choices

This month, we are confronting the substantial environmental toll of single-use plastic, constituting a staggering 89% of marine waste. Plastic bottles, bags, wrappers, and straws find their way into our oceans, wreaking havoc on marine life, wildlife, our precious oceans, and even our own well-being. It’s time to embrace change by saying no to single-use plastic and adopting sustainable products such as reusable shopping bags and glass bottles. These seemingly small actions yield significant positive impacts.

The Environmental Toll of Single-Use Plastic:

The convenience of single-use plastic comes at a high cost to our environment, the deepest plastic bag being discovered in the Marina Trench – the world’s deepest ocean trench – 10,89km below the surface. The devastating impact on marine life, wildlife, and the overall health of our oceans cannot be ignored. It’s a crisis that demands immediate and sustained action.

The Journey to reducing Single-Use:

Single-use plastics have long been a significant environmental concern, contributing to pollution and adversely impacting our planet. The South African Plastics Pact has undertaken ambitious targets to address the challenges posed by problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging. Let’s take a quick look at the data to understand the progress made and the positive steps towards creating a sustainable future.

Significant strides have been made in reducing single-use plastics, with notable achievements which include a 70% reduction in phase 1 plastics since 2020, with a focus on eliminating items like PVC pallet wrap and plastic straws. Recyclability of plastic packaging has improved to 82%, surpassing 2021 results. Efforts towards a 70% effective recycling rate by 2025 are evident, with a rise from 29.6% in 2020 to 43.9% in 2022. Explore the detailed report for a comprehensive overview of the positive impact on plastic sustainability. Read the full report here.

Embrace Sustainable Choices:

Say No to Single-Use Plastic: The first step in turning the tides is to say no to single-use plastic. Select reusable alternatives like bags, containers, and straws. It’s a simple change that significantly reduces your plastic footprint.
Choose Glass Bottles: Plastic bottles contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Choosing glass bottles not only reduces plastic waste but also encourages recycling and a more sustainable approach to packaging.
Embrace Reusable Shopping Bags and Straws: Invest in reusable shopping bags and straws. Keep them handy, so you’re prepared to refuse single-use alternatives. Small, consistent choices make a big impact over time.

Positive Impacts of Small Actions:

Reduced Marine Pollution: By reducing the use of single-use plastic, we directly contribute to less plastic ending up in our oceans. This protects marine life and preserves the health of our oceans.
Wildlife Preservation: Many animals mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion and often fatal consequences. Embracing reusable alternatives helps protect wildlife and ensures a healthier ecosystem.
Human Well-Being: The health of our oceans directly affects human well-being. Cleaner oceans mean healthier seafood, better water quality, and a more sustainable environment for future generations.

Let’s turn the tides on single-use plastic together. Say no to disposable items, choose reusable alternatives, and encourage others to do the same. By making sustainable choices, we can collectively make a significant impact on the environment, preserve our oceans, and protect the life they sustain. These seemingly small actions, when multiplied across individuals and communities, have the power to create a wave of positive change for our oceans and the life they support.

Waste Not, Want Not: Tackling Food Waste in Africa

wont.socialise@gmail.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 19:45:18 +0000

In April 2024, as we usher in a season of growth and renewal, let’s address a pressing issue: food waste in Africa. Surprisingly, around one-third of all food produced on the continent goes to waste. This not only squanders valuable food but also the resources invested in its journey from farm to table, including water, energy, harvesting, storage, distribution, and preparation.

The Startling Reality of Food Waste:

It’s alarming to think that a significant portion of the food we produce is never consumed. In Africa, where food security is a critical concern, addressing food waste becomes paramount. The impact extends beyond the wasted food itself to the precious resources that go into its production.

The True Cost of Food Waste:

When we waste food, we’re not just discarding what’s on our plates. We’re also wasting the water used to grow crops, the energy expended in harvesting and transportation, and the resources dedicated to storage and preparation. The true cost of food waste encompasses an entire chain of valuable resources.

The Environmental Impact:

Water Waste: Agriculture accounts for a significant portion of water use. When food is wasted, it also means the water used to grow those crops is wasted. In a water-scarce continent like Africa, this is a crucial concern.
Energy Consumption: From farm machinery to transportation, the production and distribution of food require considerable energy. When food goes to waste, so does the energy invested in its journey from farm to table.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The decomposition of food in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By reducing food waste, we can mitigate the environmental impact of these emissions.

How to Tackle Food Waste:

Educate and Raise Awareness: Understanding the impact of food waste is the first step. Educate communities, businesses, and individuals about the consequences of wasting food.
Smart Shopping and Meal Planning: Plan your meals, create shopping lists, and buy only what you need. This reduces the likelihood of food spoiling before it’s consumed.
Support Food Redistribution Programs: Encourage and support initiatives that redirect surplus food to those in need. Many organizations work to bridge the gap between food surplus and food insecurity.

April Action: Make Every Bite Count:

This April let’s take action against food waste. Every bite counts, and by making conscious choices, we can collectively reduce the impact of food waste on our environment and communities. Whether it’s at home, in businesses, or throughout the supply chain, “waste not, want not” should be the mantra. By addressing food waste in Africa, we not only conserve precious resources but also contribute to food security and environmental sustainability.

Global Recycling Day: A Pledge to Sustain Our Planet

wont.socialise@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 16:14:12 +0000

As we stand on the cusp of Global Recycling Day, it’s not merely a date on the calendar; it’s a collective call to arms for a sustainable tomorrow. Journey with us as we explore the essence of Global Recycling Day, and delve into the South African recycling narrative, uncovering actionable steps for both your home and workplace.

Since its inception in 2018, Global Recycling Day has evolved into more than an annual event. It’s a global symphony, harmonizing our commitment to a sustainable future. This day unites the world, reminding us that recycling is not just a local concern—it’s a global necessity. Our mission is clear: to implore world leaders to adopt a unified approach and to inspire individuals worldwide to reimagine waste to create opportunities for reuse and renewal.

Why Recycling Matters Globally

The past decade has thrust us into a climate emergency, with rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and the spectre of deforestation. Recycling emerges as a critical player in this global drama. Recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, recycling stands as a sentinel against climate change, saving over 700 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Recycling in South Africa

With an astounding 122 million tonnes of waste generated annually, the task of managing this volume looms large on the national agenda. Minister Barbara Creecy’s insights shed light on the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that only 20% of waste is recycled globally, whereas in South Africa, the recycling rate sits at 34%.

However, within this challenge lies a remarkable opportunity for transformation. South Africa is not merely grappling with waste management but is also emerging as a beacon of innovation in the recycling realm. Minister Creecy’s advocacy for Extended Producer Schemes marks a significant shift in accountability, urging producers to take proactive steps in championing recycling initiatives for their products. This shift aligns seamlessly with the Circular Economy ethos, where reducing material footprints and promoting reuse and recycling are central tenets.

Amidst this, South African brands are carving out their niche as sustainability pioneers. From Pick n Pay to Woolworths and Unilever, these brands are not just meeting but surpassing recycling targets, as evidenced by PETCO’s commendable 66% recycling rate for PET products.

Get Involved

At Home: Small Steps, Big Impact

Your home is a microcosm of change. Conduct a quick waste audit. How many recycling bins stand alongside regular waste bins? Ideally, your recycling bins should outnumber the others. If there isn’t one, it’s time to consider having one. Placing recycling bins strategically in different areas encourages a shift towards conscious waste separation. At home, recycling becomes a habit—a part of your lifestyle.

At Work: A Blueprint for Change

In the workplace, the dynamics of recycling differ. Consider the waste generated by your office. Are there recycling bins conveniently placed? Initiating a recycling program at work involves collaboration. It’s about fostering a culture where every disposed item is viewed as a potential resource. The workplace, with its collective power, can become a beacon of sustainable practices.

As Global Recycling Day approaches, let’s not confine our commitment to a single day. Let it be the spark for enduring change. Recycling is not a chore; it’s a mindset – a lifestyle. It’s about recognizing that the products we use daily are part of a larger cycle that can be renewed, repurposed, and rejuvenated.

Every action, no matter how small, shapes a sustainable future. Be a Recycling Hero, not just for a day, but for a lifetime. Collectively we can embark on a journey where our actions today lay the foundation for a healthier, greener tomorrow.

Earth Day: Restoring our ecosystem to protect livelihoods

wont.socialise@gmail.com — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 17:20:09 +0000

April 22, marks Earth Day – an annual event dedicated to preventing the degradation of the natural environment. Land degradation is the deterioration or loss of the productive capacity of the soils, resulting in food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is currently threatening the livelihoods of many Africans with resource-based livelihoods, as it is happening at an alarming pace.

Our land has a tremendous economic, social, and environmental value, and unfortunately, a good deal of it is susceptible to degradation. In South Africa, 70% of the land is affected by soil erosion, according to research.

While soil erosion is a natural process through which topsoil is lost to wind, rain, and other forces, it has been intensified by human activity, such as clearing vegetation, soil tillage or overgrazing – resulting in negative environmental, societal, and economic impacts. Poor farming practices as well as the trend toward agricultural intensification have been identified as major causes of erosion.

Scientists recently warned that 24 billion tons of fertile soil was being lost annually, and if this trend continues, 95% of the Earth’s land areas could become degraded by 2050. Furthermore, The World Wide Fund for Nature reveals that Half of the topsoil on the planet has already been lost in the last 150 years.

Additionally, climate has accelerated erosion through the changes in rainfall and water levels as they shift soil, resulting in larger amounts of sediment washing into rivers, lakes and streams. Temperature fluctuations have made topsoil more vulnerable to erosion, while droughts have prevented plants from growing in some parts of Africa, further exposing soil.

The effects of soil erosion on the land and humankind

The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. Streams and rivers have become polluted, resulting in clogged waterways and declining fish populations. Additionally, degraded lands are often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding.

In order to improve people’s livelihoods, we must act now to reduce climate change, and stop the extinction of biodiversity.

The global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands by 2030 may sound overly ambitious, but through sustainable land use, it is possible.

Where do we begin?

We need to encourage our cities to go green, ensure that our rivers are clean, and manage our waste efficiently. Despite being universal, waste presents a host of broader challenges that affect not only human health and livelihood, but also the economy and the soils that surround us.

While we cannot speak for other industries, we can commit to driving and educating industries on the importance of sustainable waste management practices as part of the overall strategy to improve land degradation statistics and support other processes that impact land processes. Such practices include – Waste Classification, Waste Re-use andRecycling, Bioremediation, Waste Treatment, as well as Safe Destruction & Disposal – can have a profound effect from an economic and environmental point of view. When implemented correctly, these solutions not only reduce the impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s wildlife, oceans, and economy.

By reusing, recycling, and repurposing, we can truly generate restoration and contribute to the much-needed change in our land viability heading into the future. Now is the time to identify ways to preserve the land better and to act for the enrichment of Africans and the future of food stability.