DEAR Editor,-
I have read many letters and articles about recycling (or the lack thereof) on the South Coast and it seems to be a controversial subject that everyone prefers to ignore.
Both municipalities have made an effort to step up services during the past few weeks and albeit a step in the right direction, the scourge of plastic litter still dogs most South Coast towns.
ALSO READ : OPINION: ‘Thanks for clearing the verges of litter’
My family and I spent the day on St Michael’s beach during December and were appalled at the amount of plastic discarded in the area.
All this plastic will end up in our ocean and add to the already-overwhelming pollution crisis.
Surely the bigger the retailer, the bigger the responsibility when it comes to plastic packaging and its disposal?
People buy trolleys full of two litre plastic bottles at these major retailers, but nowhere at any of these huge stores will you find a bin or skip for plastic.
Recycling depots on the South Coast is sadly lacking and it is about time that major retailers take some responsibility for what happens to the waste.
If the municipalities cannot cope with the huge headache of recycling, then it is time for something else to be put in place to play our part against plastic pollution.
Most malls can accommodate a recycling depot by allocating a remote spot for skips or containers.
They can task and reward workers for maintaining and managing them – and the bonus is that it can be a profitable business if run well.
If our schools can run competitions and collect waste as an incentive for fund-raising, why can’t shopping centres or major retailers do the same?
Plastic pollution is not going to go away and humans can no longer ‘bury their heads in the sand’ and ignore an alarming crisis.
I challenge major retailers to step up and increase the recycling drive.
Please help make recycling easier for us South Coasters and set an example – who knows, maybe by setting a trend, many others will follow.
DOWN IN THE DUMPS
Uvongo
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