Coast KZN

NATIONAL Recycling Day is on Friday and the public are urged to pay close attention to sorting and recycling rather than disposing of everything in one rubbish bin.

While South Africa is regarded as a world leader when it comes to recycling, there is much more that people can do to pre-sort their recyclable materials prior to it going to a landfill site. South Africa’s paper recovery rate is well above the global average of 59%, and over the past 10 years more than 11.3 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging have been recovered for recycling. If baled, this amount would cover the surface of 2 055 soccer fields, one metre deep.

On the plastic front, the recycling rate for PET bottles – fizzy drinks and water bottles – has improved over the years. South Africa recycles 67% of all PET bottles, which is an increase compared to previous years.  According to Plastics SA, of the total plastic recycled in 2018, 70% had to be sorted at landfill sites.

This shows that people need to become more recycle-savvy and separate recyclable waste before it leaves their homes. Certain recyclables such as paper and cardboard-based materials can be grouped together when separating at source. This means all cereal boxes, juice cartons, toilet roll inners, newspapers and magazines can be grouped in one bag and put on the verge separately from the general household rubbish.

Plastic waste – bottles rinsed so as not to contaminate the paper-based recyclables – can also go into the same bag as this is still easier for rubbish collectors to sort than sifting them out of general waste bags and bins.

Putting recyclables in a clear plastic bag will make it easier for those collecting the rubbish to see which items are for recycling and which are not.

‘Understanding the way recycling works in your community and the significant implications of not recycling, is a great way to start making your own positive impact on the volume of waste at South African landfills,’ said John Hunt, Managing Director of Mpact Recycling.