Plastic Free July 2019

Photographer: Romano Fortuin for LCA Spark Talks

The Plastic Free July campaign originated in Western Australia in 2011 and has grown from a very small number of participants to millions of people acting in more than 170 countries. The Plastic Free Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, manages the campaign on an international level. Their vision is to create a world without plastic waste by encouraging people to be more aware of their plastic use and by working on solutions with communities around the world.

The Beach Co-op uses beach cleanups and its Dirty Dozen methodology as a way to educate and activate people in becoming citizen scientists. We have facilitated more than 70 cleanups in the last two years. The data that you log on the top 12 most commonly found items on our beaches (except cigarette butts and polystyrene bits) during cleanups helps us engage on the issue with the industry. It will also change the way that you view and use plastics.

The Beach Co-op, Twyg and WWF South Africa have set a #PlasticFreeMzansi challenge for July 2019. This Plastic Free July we want you to give up three items that are polluting our beaches: earbud sticks, chip packets and plastic bottles. We kicked off the month with a cleanup on the 29th June; 49 people arrived on a very cold winters day and collected 10 full bags weighing 74.5 kilograms. Our top three Dirty Dozen items for this cleanup were:

1339

Straws

1237

Cooldrink lids

961

Sweet wrappers

There is so much happening in South Africa this month and we wanted to share all the events we are aware of with you – get out there and help make a difference!

Upcoming Events

3 July (weather dependant)

The Beach Co-op

Event: New Moon Cleanup

Venue: Surfers Corner, Muizenberg

Time: 9AM

3 July

PETCO is hosting an event – What on Earth is going on? at Doubletree By Hilton,Cape Town. They’’ll bust recycling myths with Recycle 1st. Cyril Naicker will talk about adopting sustainable shopping habits. The Beach Co-op will give us a look into their efforts and we’ll learn about how academia is crucial to reducing waste. Networking, snacks and drinks will follow. Bookings, tickets and the full programme can be found here.

Time: 5:30PM to 7:30PM