More than 80 percent of marine pollution and litter comes from land based sources. There is a need to identify pathways of pollution, from land to sea, using a Source-to-Sea approach, and take necessary action.
PlasticsǀSA has identified four river catchment areas;
- eThekweni River Catchment (Durban Functional Region, KZN)
- Zwartkops Estuary (Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape)
- Kader Asmal Black River Catchment (Cape Town, Western Cape)
- Sabie River Catchment (Hazyview, Mpumalanga)
Goal
To ensure effective cooperation between all stakeholders (government, business, civil and environmental organisations) to address the reduction of plastic litter in the river and marine environment.
- Waste Management (Research, facilitation, infrastructure)
- Education and awareness
- Litter prevention solutions (Litter booms)
- Clean-up campaigns
Project Outcomes
Plastics SA focused on the following activities:
- Clean-up Campaigns
- School Education
- Exhibitions
- Presentations
- Waste Management Training
- Resource Material
Outcomes:
- To educate and informed public on river and marine pollution and the benefit of recycling plastics.
- Distribution or resource materials to target audience.
- Building relationships with stakeholders to address plastic litter issues within the River catchment areas.
- Conduct research on current waste management practices.
- Manage School education program (Service Provider: Aqua Amazing).
- Liaise and support Clean-up coordinators with all activities – African Marine Waste Network.
- Develop marketing messages to be used during education program.
- Develop marketing material to be displayed at all events.
- Conduct research on best solution to trap plastic litter along waterways. (eg. Litter booms)
- Develop action plan with local partners on best solutions. – Public awareness – Exhibit at environmental Expo’s.
- Write report on eThekwini River Catchment
