September is fast approaching and South Africans are gearing up for the annual Clean-up & Recycle SA Week, set for 16 to 21 September. This year, Plastics SA proudly marks the 28th consecutive year coordinating South Africa’s participation in the International Coastal Clean-up, the world’s largest volunteer effort dedicated to ocean health.

Douw Steyn, sustainability director at Plastics SA, emphasises that the entire month of September will be a testament to environmental stewardship, focusing on cleaning our surroundings and promoting recycling.

‘Our theme this year is “Making a Difference” and we call on South Africans from all walks of life to contribute to the beautification and health of our environment. Whether at work, home or play, everyone is encouraged to actively participate in eliminating visible litter and fostering a culture of recycling,’ Douw enthuses.

He continues: ‘Clean-up & Recycle SA Week is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause. Each piece of litter removed and every recycling effort contribute to the greater goal of preserving our environment for future generations. This year, we aim to inspire even more volunteers to join us in this vital endeavour.’

In conjunction with the clean-up activities, Plastics SA is thrilled to announce the launch of a nationwide competition. Open to individuals, groups and organisations, the competition encourages participants to submit before and after pictures of their clean-ups, along with details on the number of participants and bags of litter collected. Additionally, there is a special category to honour and reward those who establish effective recycling systems at home, school or their workplace. The competition features generous prizes totalling R9 000, with R5 000 for first place, R3 000 for second place and R1 000 for third place.

‘We look forward to making this our most successful event yet, with the largest number of volunteers participating,’ Douw adds. ‘Whether you’re joining a beach or river clean-up, organising a neighbourhood effort or committing to recycling, every contribution counts. Together, we can make a significant difference and a lasting impact on our environment, one piece of litter at a time,’ he concludes.

For further details, visit www.cleanupandrecycle.co.za or www.plasticsinfo.co.za.