Cleaning and greening – Paper industry hosts a Trash and Tree Day

On National Recycling Day (September 18), the paper and paper packaging industry teamed up for a trash and tree day to mark Arbor Month and National Clean-Up and Recycling Week.

The day included a litter clean-up in the surrounding veld and wetland, delivered recycling units and tree planting at John Wesley Community Centre, with some Jerusalema dance fun added to the mix.

In collaboration with CreationCare and Etwatwa Greening Team, representatives and members of Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa), RecyclePaperZA and Fibre Circle, the producer responsibility organisation for the sector, collected 32 bags of rubbish and 18 bags of recyclables in just over 60 minutes, and planted 10 pepperbark (Warburgia salutaris) saplings.

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As a belated commemoration of National Book Week, Pamsa also donated locally written and published books to the centre’s reading corner.

JWCC is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation that offers numerous activities that caters for the needs of the surrounding district of Etwatwa.

It’s main purpose is to care for those infected and affected by the disease HIV/Aids, especially children as these children are classified as vulnerable children because they mostly live in impoverished areas and are either orphaned or are directly infected with the disease.

The following was donated to JWCC:

• Sappi Southern Africa donated 10 pepperbark trees through its Threatened and Endangered Species Stewardship Programme.

• Nampark Liquid Cartons and Mojo Water donated 250 units of water in liquid board packaging – recyclable and renewable.

Terence van der Walt, new business development manager for Nampak Liquid Cartons, said:

“It was great to participate in the clean-up and tree planting ceremony. Trees are the lungs of our planet. They filter the air that we breathe, as do the sustainably managed trees that we later turn into cartons.

“Paper-based cartons, used for milk, juice and even dry food are recyclable in South Africa. Cartons are also renewable,” says van der Walt.

“The greater the demand for cartons, the more trees we plant, and the better for the environment.”

• Mpact set up JWCC with a recycling system that will allow the organisation to generate funds of recyclables collected.

As part of its schools and community programme, Mpact Recycling provided the centre with bins and bags for the separation of white paper, brown cardboard boxes, milk/juice cartons and mixed paper.

“These four paper grades provide recycling mills with reusable paper fibre for the production of packaging and tissue products.

“John Wesley Community Centre will now be able to generate funds for the recyclables it collects,” said Mbali Pakati, procurement representative for Mpact Recycling, adding that the centre joins about 860 schools and communities on its programme in Gauteng.

Mpact Recycling also donated 100 goodie bags for the preschool.

“This year we wanted to make a tangible contribution to a local community by supporting them in cleaning up a small area around the centre in Daveyton,” says Anele Sololo, manager of RecyclePaperZA.

“Our mascots and school presenter team also had fun with some of the children, educating them about littering and recycling.”

National Clean-up and Recycle Week takes place during the third week of September each year, an annual initiative supported and endorsed by provincial governments, local municipalities, environmental organizations, businesses, schools and communities.

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“Overall it was a successful, great and educational day,” said Samantha Choles of Litter Bugs.

“How recycling is collected differs from community to community,” explained John Hunt, managing director of Mpact Recycling.

“There might be a formal recycling collector, collectors who service particular residential areas or local community collection points such as schools, retirement villages or shopping malls.

“Good recycling practices can also contribute to economic growth and job creation, and reduce social and environmental costs.

“This in turn positively impacts the circular economy which refers to waste items being re-used or recycled, to be made into something new.

“It ensures they continue to contribute valuables rather then reaching landfills where they become useless.

“Understanding the ways recycling works in your community, and the significant implications of not recycling, is a great way to start making your own positive impact on the volume of waste on South African landfills.”