AS the second most polluted continent, Africa must take both the responsibility and opportunity to pioneer world-leading waste management methods to avoid an environmental and socio-economic disaster, experts warn.
This was the message from environmental scientist Dr Tony Ribbink, who was speaking at the annual general meeting of the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange last Thursday.
Community members and companies making strides in the fight against plastic pollution were rewarded for their efforts during the PETCO awards ceremony that rounded off the AGM.
The Uitenhage Recycling Mula Swop-Shop Project was named the national winner in the category: Public Campaign of the Year.
Ribbink, chief executive officer of the Sustainable Seas Trust, believes that while there is a certain amount of gloom and doom surrounding the pollution problem, a lot of good is also being done.
“Africa is in clear danger of taking top spot as the most polluted continent unless responsibility for the crisis is shouldered at all levels,” said Ribbink, a former director of the World Bank GEF project on Lake Malawi/Nyasa for Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.
But, he said, Africa was also pioneering new methods and activities to counter plastic pollution.
Quinette Goosen, chairperson of the Mula project said, “The award means a lot to the entire esteem involved at the Mula project. Especially as PETCO, which is a highly acclaimed organisation in the recycling world, regarded Mula as worthy recipients of this national award.
“It means the Mula concept is highly efficient and therefore we thank all donors for supporting us. Even though the award did not come with a prize, we are honoured that Mula is nationally regarded as a trustworthy project.
“Local companies, organisations and individuals are most welcome to get involved at Mula as it is an ideal corporate social investment opportunity,” said Goosen.
According to her the biggest need is to have enough funds for their food supply, which they have to stock each week.
“The need for food is huge. As this is mostly what the children exchange their recycled items for when they visit the Mula swop-shop on a Wednesday at the Allanridge Civic Centre from 13:00 onwards,” said Goosen.
