SANParks highlights the fight against plastic pollution this World Environment Day
Greenpeace Africa activists staged a demonstration outside Coca-Cola's corporate offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with a striking 3-metre by 3-metre glass bottle cap installation.
Image: Supplied
The South African National Parks marked World Environment Day on Thursday by focusing on plastic pollution.
The global theme this year for World Environment Day (WED) 25 is “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
Globally, over 400 million tons of plastic waste enter ecosystems each year, harming rivers, soils, and biodiversity.
A large number of national parks under SANParks’ management are mainly located in rural areas. In keeping with this year’s WED, SANParks highlighted the link between plastic pollution, negative impact of climate change and communities adjacent to its national parks.In a statement SANParks said they were working to ensure that communities are not only included in WED events but positioned as leaders in environmental stewardship.
"This includes co-management models, youth-led clean-up initiatives, education in traditional zero-waste practices, and access to ancestral lands for ceremonial and ecological restoration activities.
"The communities will become leading figures in the fight against environmental nuisances like plastic pollution and its related consequences," read the statement.
SANParks also adopted a plan to incrementally phase out problematic waste streams (like plastic) in all its national parks’ operations.
Meanwhile Greenpeace Africa activists staged a demonstration outside Coca-Cola's corporate offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with a striking 3-metre by 3-metre glass bottle cap installation and activists wearing elaborate costumes constructed from plastic waste.
The action highlighted Coca-Cola's status as the world's number one plastic polluter for six consecutive years.
Hellen Kahaso Dena, Project Lead, Pan-African Plastics Project for Greenpeace Africa, said: "If Coca-Cola is really serious about solving the plastic and climate crisis, it needs to stop its greenwashing, cap its plastic production and invest in refill and reuse. Ending Coca-Cola's addiction to single-use plastic is an important step in moving away from fossil fuels, protecting communities in Africa, and combating the climate crisis."
A Greenpeace Africa activist dressed in a costume constructed from plastic waste.
Image: Supplied