Let’s Help Beat Plastic Pollution in Ekurhuleni
by Cllr. Tiaan Kotze — DA Spokesperson for Environmental Resource & Waste Management in Ekurhuleni
Date: 7 June 2023
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni celebrated World Environment Day on the 05th of June 2023. The theme for World Environmental Day 2023 was #BeatPlasticPollution which calls for global solutions to combat plastic pollution in our communities.
Although the City of Ekurhuleni has implemented a range of policies to ensure a clean, waste-free environment, the City still has a long way to go to ensure a plastic-free society.
World Environment Day is one of the biggest international environmental days which aims to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It has been held annually since 1973 and the event has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach which is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
According to UNEP, “Plastic Pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues facing the planet. Humanity produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic every year — two-thirds of which are short-lived products which soon become waste. This has devastating consequences for wildlife, ecosystems, human health and the global economy. While the social and economic costs of plastic pollution range between $US300 to $US600 billion (R5.8 to R11.65 trillion) per year.” Ms Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UNEP added that: “We must reuse, recycle, reorient, and diversify our systems. This is how we keep plastic out of the ecosystems and in the economy. Everyone must play their part.”
South Africa is blessed with rich resources and unique biodiversity. Our environment is however under significant pressure from a growing economy and a rapidly increasing population, as well as climate change and water scarcity. Protection of the environment goes far beyond conservation. The maintenance of environmental quality, most particularly in the reduction of water, air and soil pollution, is critical for human and eco- system health. The DA’s vision of an opportunity society in which citizens have the resources, power, and opportunity to develop themselves and pursue their own objectives requires a healthy and productive population. A healthy environment, most notably the availability of ample clean water, clean energy, and clean air, is critical for winning the fight against the burden of disease and enabling citizens to seize opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods.
The DA in Ekurhuleni reiterates its support for this initiative and calls on the City of Ekurhuleni to take tangible actions to reduce plastic pollution within the city. The lifespan of our five (5) landfill sites should be prolonged through the diversion of recyclable plastic from landfill sites, the introduction of ‘separation at source’ initiatives, and sustainable recycling and waste reduction initiatives at municipal buildings. Community-based educational initiatives should also be introduced to educate residents about the importance of recycling and the potential future impact that it may have on the protection and sustainability of our planet and its resources.
The DA will continue pursuing initiatives that promote environmental protection and sustainability in Council and will hold the MMC of Environmental Resource and Waste Management, Cllr. Eunice Matloga, accountable for the achievement of the Department’s Key Performance Indicator on Waste Minimization at oversight committee level.
Media Enquiries
Cllr. Tiaan Kotze
Deputy Caucus Chairperson for the DA in Ekurhuleni and Spokesperson for Environmental Resource & Waste Management in Ekurhuleni
079 893 8404
