World Cleanup Day occurs annually on the third Saturday every September on a global scale. The aim is to raise awareness of the mismanaged waste crisis by mobilizing all spheres of society to participate in cleanup actions.
On Saturday 17th September 2022, rigid plastic packaging manufacturer in Diepriver, Polyoak Packaging, tackled the prolific waste polluting the Little Princess Vlei. The Diepriver Canal behind Polyoak is often strewn with uncollected garbage bags which, when not removed, flow straight into the Little Princess Vlei. If not stopped here, this waste continues downstream to further pollute the already over-burdened Zandvlei. Containing the waste before it enters waterways is essential, especially when it accumulates under bridges, near drains and along the road and railway. Collecting this waste helps to reduce water pollution and maximise the value of recyclable items before they become too contaminated for recycling. Rigid plastic packaging, such as the PET beverage and handled milk bottles made by Polyoak, can earn waste reclaimers as much as eight rand per kilogram from a buy-back centre, so littering these items not only destroys the environment, but also livelihoods.
Polyoak Packaging’s Managing Director, Karl Lambrecht adds, “Many of Polyoak’s employees visit Little Princess Vlei and Zandvlei with their families to enjoy the outdoors and the birdlife. As part of the community, we are passionate about protecting the environments in which we operate. Although all the packaging we make is fully recyclable, this can only happen if items are disposed of responsibly, instead of becoming waste polluting the environment.”
Despite the rain, over two hundred Polyoak employees and family united to achieve waste-free waterways, joined by local Ward 72 Councillor, Kevin Southgate, City of Cape Town’s Reserve Manager for Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Kyran Wright and David Bristow, Chairman of The Zandvlei Trust.
Polyoak’s army of waste pickers were split into four groups to blitz the areas around the Diepriver Canal, Mocke and Roscommon Roads, and Little Princess Vlei. Collectively, with the support of COCT’s dedicated crew from the Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Polyoak removed 94 bags filled with litter weighing 810 kilograms. The waste included numerous small, light items such as cigarette butts, food wrappers and polystyrene take-away containers. With the assistance of recycling service provider, Clean C, the litter was carefully sorted to recover 321 kilograms of recyclables before disposing appropriately. Clean C’s recycling collection initiative called Kerby, offers a recycling collection service to un-serviced communities. For more information visit www.kerby.co.za
Residents are also welcomed to join fellow volunteers of The Zandvlei Trust, which hosts gardening and vlei cleanups on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. To learn about Zandvlei’s rich fauna and flora, the Trust is hosting a series of free Zandvlei Talks from 26 September to 1 October at The Lookout, Promenade Road, Zandvlei. More information www.zandvleitrust.org.za/
Polyoak MD, Karl Lambrecht concludes, “Saturday was a proud day for Polyoak’s Cape Town Crew! Following the concept of ‘Earth as a Spaceship’, our Earth Crew came out in force to execute some essential maintenance to keep our valuable craft in ship shape. Additional Polyoak Cleanup’s will be taking place at our other sites across South Africa throughout September and October, enabling us to engage with all the communities in which we operate to help eliminate waste.”
