PET plastic recycling, PETCO, and the African Marine Waste Network are working to highlight the importance of solutions to issues of marine and land-based pollution in South Africa.
One example of an initiative working to reduce pollution took place recently when Extrupet joined forces with PETCO and the Kenton-based African Marine Waste Network, to donate nine desks and 36 chairs to Lake Farm Centre. The furniture was manufactured by Extruwood, using the caps and labels of plastic bottles recycled at Extrupet. Janine Basson, stakeholder relations manager for PETCO, says partnerships like these play an important role in sustainable waste management. “At PETCO, we believe that plastic bottles are not trash; when they are recycled, they are made into new bottles for water or beverages or recycled into new and useful products such as polyester fibre for duvets and pillows, or jeans and t-shirts,” Basson explains. “Similarly, the manufacture of these desks from recycled bottle tops and labels demonstrates that, when there is an end-use for recycled plastic, we can ensure it is kept out of our environment and within the circular economy.”Donation benefits literacy
The donation to Lake Farm went a long way to benefit the centre’s literacy programme, according to volunteer Marjorie Moore.
“The [literacy] classes instil a sense of pride and self-worth and promote independence and life skills while developing healthy attitudes,” she says. “Having proper desks and chairs creates more of a classroom environment and enables more people with disabilities to join our classes.”
A further benefit says Moore, was that the donated furniture was comfortable, yet also virtually indestructible, meaning it typically would not need to be replaced. Joint managing director of Extrupet, Chandru Wadhwani, says the company is thrilled to be able to support the initiative.
