Clean-Up & Recycle Week: Leading SA towards a cleaner future

From beaches to parks, over 120 000 volunteers take action

Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week, organised by Plastics SA, gathered over 120 000 volunteers nationwide from 15 to 20 September. This impactful event aimed to clear litter from beaches, rivers, parks, and neighbourhoods, preventing plastic waste from polluting our environment and oceans.

Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director at Plastics SA, explains: “Clean-Up & Recycle SA isn’t just about litter removal. It educates, inspires, and empowers South Africans to protect and preserve their environment.”

Nationwide highlights from Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week

1. KwaZulu-Natal: Youth ambassadors and volunteers teamed up with organisations like the Clean Surf Project and government departments for clean-ups at Amanzimtoti, Isipingo Beach, and the Mbokodweni river mouth.
2. Western Cape: A large-scale clean-up mission at Strandfontein Beach saw 300 Polyoak employees join Plastics SA and PROs like Polyco and PETCO. Recyclables were collected, sorted, and sent to CleanC for recovery efforts.
3. Villiersdorp: Collaborating with Theewaterskloof Municipality, over 150 participants sorted and weighed waste during a major clean-up event.

According to Steyn, these clean-ups provided educational experiences, boosting community involvement and awareness.

Driving success through collaboration

The success of Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week was achieved thanks to partnerships with leading organisations, including:

• PROs: Petco, Polyco and Sasol.
• Government support: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.
• Local corporates: Coca-Cola and Unilever.

Plastics SA ensured smooth coordination by securing sponsorship for clean-up bags, distributing resources to target areas, and raising broad awareness online.

Preparing for a cleaner tomorrow

While challenges like waste sorting persist, Plastics SA continues pushing for broader recycling education and environmental awareness. The organisation’s vision focuses on cleaner communities, sustained by collective action and the growing commitment of South Africans.

Steyn concludes: “The message is simple: Protect your space – don’t litter, recycle! Together, we’re achieving long-term change.”