A CLEAN SWEEP – PLASTICS|SA
THE PLASTICS|SA CLEAN-UP CREWS WILL ONCE AGAIN HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE WASTE FOOTPRINT OF TWO OF CAPE TOWN’S BIGGEST SPORTING EVENTS – BOTH TAKING PLACE IN MARCH THIS YEAR – IS KEPT AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE.
For the 11th consecutive year, Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Manager, John Kieser, will be coordinating clean-up crews who will be working around the clock to keep the routes and surrounding areas used for the 40th Cape Town Cycle Tour (11th March) and the 49th Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (31st March) clean and litter-free.
“Teamwork is the beauty of sport, where individual team members become selfless and act as one towards a common goal. This year, our group of more than 200 cleaners who have been employed from various townships in and around Cape Town – including Joe Slovo, Kayamandi, Masiphumelele, Ocean View and Khayelitsha – will once again demonstrate what can be achieved through unity, teamwork and collaboration when they sweep the routes by picking up all the water and energy drink sachets used by the athletes, or litter left behind by the spectators, with as little disruption to the events or the traffic as possible,” Kieser says.
The majority of the waste collected during these events is plastic waste, which has a high recycling value. Several truckloads of plastic waste are collected and recycled annually at these events. Food waste is sent to Noordhoek for composting, whilst all non-organic event waste collected during the marathon is recycled and upcycled into unique school desks for underresourced schools as part of the event’s #GoGreen campaign.
“Over the years, the active and visible involvement of the Plastics|SA clean-up team and the PETCO branded bins and truck at these events has helped to create an awareness of the plastics industry’s dedication to keeping plastic litter out of the environment,” Kieser says. He adds that the City of Cape Town plays a major role in boosting their clean-up efforts by ensuring that the routes for these annual events are cleaned prior to the race days.
“This year’s ongoing, severe drought has presented a harsh reality for the event organisers, stakeholders and participants. However, being the two premier events on the province’s calendar, the events play an important role in the economic growth of the city and the province, as well as provide much-needed funds for the many charities that partner with and benefit from them. The plastics industry is proud to work alongside the organisers who are committed to waste management and recycling, and are doing everything in their power to ensure these iconic events take place with as little impact as possible on the municipal water supply and the environment,” Kieser concludes.
For more information, visit www.plasticsinfo.co.za.