Coast KZN

Nature- lovers from around Durban gathered at the Palmiet Nature Reserve on Human Rights Day, and collected a huge pile of trash off the banks of the river.

Westville Conservancy member, Patty Mankowski cares for the environment.

River champion, Lee D’Eathe said nature lovers would not be collecting waste were it not for inconsiderate polluters who continue to trash the environment by irresponsible waste disposal.

“Bypassing legitimate systems, individuals hand garden, household or building waste over to others, or pay unscrupulous companies for it to be taken away. Instead of it being deposited at authorised disposal sites, waste is then tipped down riverbanks or stashed in open spaces, or burnt to get the metals out, and the rest ends up blocking drains, and washed into the river and the ocean,” he said.

Aware that the trash comes from the streets, delivered by the stormwater system to the river, ‘Let’s Talk Rubbish’ hosts regular local clean-ups to inspire individuals to stop the waste at the source.

Lee D’Eathe and Lenard Hall with some of the piles of trash collected during the clean-up.

Bongiwe Majangaza and Caelee Laing with recyclable material found during the clean-up.

“If people could start picking up litter in the streets where they live, work and travel on, that will prevent trash getting into the stormwater drains. That waste then ends up being washed up from rivers and streams to the Blue Lagoon Beach or into the Indian Ocean.”

’Eathe said he was grateful to people, businesses, schools, clubs, the scout movement who are making a difference to stop waste at the source.

“Now they are aware of the how plastic and tiny particles of disintegrating plastic are wiping out large and tiny creatures,” he said.