Tomorrow is Earth Day, which means it’s time for us all to ensure we understand the assignment in doing our part for the planet. One of the easiest ways sounds like a marathon but requires little to no physical exertion. If you needed more than one, here are four reasons to recycle!
Johannesburg, South Africa (21 April, 2023)—Recycling is one of the easiest ways that anyone can invest in our planet, which also happens to be the theme of this year’s global Earth Day on 22 April. Still, finding a reason to recycle is something many people don’t always have a good understanding of.
“Finding a reason to recycle is perhaps the first step in changing one’s attitude and behaviour.” —Samantha Choles, spokesperson for Fibre Circle, the producer responsibility organisation for the South African paper and paper packaging sector.
Unfortunately, research by the CSIR indicates that only around 10% of urban households actually recycle, so we thought we’d give everyone a reason (or four):
1. Giving Goods a Second, Third or 25th Chance
Waste paper is a raw material that is used to make new products such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, toilet paper and facial tissue. By keeping it clean and dry, and away from wet waste, you help to keep it in good condition for its next life.
Fun fact: A recent study found that the paper fibres in cardboard boxes could be recycled up to 25 times before they become unusable.
2. Landfills are Taking Strain and Recycling Curbs This
Recycling reduces the amount of waste going to landfills. For every tonne of paper that is collected, three cubic metres of space is saved!
While South Africa’s well-established paper recycling industry ensures that every year more than one million tonnes are kept out of landfills and recycled into new products, there is still massive room for improvement and it begins with all of us.
3. Your ‘Trash’ is Someone’s Treasure
The timeless saying remains true, especially in South Africa.
Recycling is a source of income for an estimated 60 000 to 90 000 people countrywide. And, you can make a collector’s work cleaner, quicker and easier by keeping certain recyclables out of your bin and in a separate bag or box.
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Local Ocean Champion Zoë Prinsloo Takes Her Mission Global!Not sure what is recyclable? For paper, items include used office paper, brown cardboard boxes, clean packaging such as cereal, toothpaste, pizza and takeaway boxes, grocery delivery bags and takeaway bags, paper cups and milk and juice cartons.
You can also put aside plastic milk bottles, PET soft drink bottles, fabric softener bottles, aluminium soft drink cans and tin cans.
It’s also always a good idea to find out what your neighbourhood collectors take. (They may only take certain items which can differ from area to area.)
4. Locking up Carbon
Choles shares that while a lot of paper in South Africa is produced from sustainably managed forests which are farmed for the purpose of making wood and paper products, carbon dioxide still remains stored.
“Trees store carbon in their wood, even when it is chipped, pulped and made into paper. By recycling, we ensure that this carbon remains locked up for longer,” — Samantha Choles.
As for the trees, there’s some good news. According to the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa, less than 10% of the country’s total plantation area (676 000 hectares) is harvested annually – and is replanted in the same year.
Still, to reduce that carbon footprint, recycling can go a long way.
And, if you’re looking for cost-friendly ways to be a touch greener this Earth Month, we’ve got some ideas.
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