South Africa (Northern, Western and Eastern Cape) Mouth of the Salt - - PDF document
Enviromark Phone: 021 591 5512 Plastic Federation of South Africa Fax: 021 591 5516 P.O. Box 13511, N1 City, 7463 E-mail: john.kieser@plasfed.co.za I NTERNATI ONAL COASTAL CLEANUP 2 0 1 0 South Africa (Northern, Western and Eastern Cape)
I NTERNATI ONAL COASTAL CLEANUP 2 0 1 0
South Africa
(Northern, Western and Eastern Cape) Mouth of the Salt River Cleanup – Nature’s Valley – 18 September
Enviromark Plastic Federation of South Africa P.O. Box 13511, N1 City, 7463 Phone: 021 591 5512 Fax: 021 591 5516 E-mail: john.kieser@plasfed.co.za
The 2010 International Coastal Cleanup. 2010 Was again a growth year for the International Coastal Cleanup in South Africa and we can with all sincerity say that the event as calendar event has with Arbor Day become benchmarks as successful environmental events. It is a team effort and without this growing team we just could not achieve the successes that are outlined in this report.
This report is also stepping away from the previous reports where we summarized each cleanup that took place in the month as it made the report too bulky and time consuming. With the increased cleanups this would have made it unwieldy but the individual cleanups is outlined in a table which is available on request.
Cleanup Conference in Cancun, Mexico and it was informative to see that the issues regarding cleanups are not just limited to our shores.
environmental and community projects even in a time, like now, when the economy has taken a slump. This was indeed, very visible in South Africa and I outline the increased sponsorship in the section dedicated to it.
Federation is involved in the coastal and marine environment. More of these actions are
that did not meet its set objectives but in this year we have started to tackle the problem by the employment of a company to support our media efforts and this meant more than 500 % increase in media exposure. With this team on board already for the 2011 cleanup, we can just increase and meet our awareness goals.
amount of volunteers. This is outlined in the section dedicated to as well as the unforeseen challenges in regard volunteering in that section. Lastly, we were tasked by Sonya Besteiro, Associate Director of the Ocean Conservancy at the Cancun Conference to see if we can identify a Coordinator for the Namibian Coastline. This was done and Mr. Gys Reitz of NACOMA (Namibian Coastal Management) managed the efforts in that country this year.
Between the 6th and the 30th of September 2010, 11 867 (7746 in 2009) volunteers cleared debris from the beaches, underwater areas and waterways of the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape. Of this number of volunteers, 4 756 audited (2 943 in 2009) the material they picked up on a standard datasheet of the Ocean Conservancy as an International effort to see what material is the most prevalent in various waterways and marine systems on an International level.
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2 In 2009, volunteers removed >11.5 tons of litter in audited cleanups. This year we removed >13.65 tons* of
figure only reflects the data from audited cleanups). As in 2009 there was an increase in the cleanups in informal settlements. This was due to the need for it and communities using the opportunity to clean their area at the end of the winter months. Due to increased marketing of the event we also had cleanups further away from the coastal zone areas and many of the “corporate cleanups” happened in these areas. During the last five years there has also been a growth in effort from the bigger urban municipalities to ensure that the coastline in these areas is cleaned on a daily basis as they depend on tourism to a large
with an increase in logistics for the various coordinators. Once again a show of support for this calendar event is the fact that most of the beach coordinators of previous cleanups repeated their support and we have increased our effort with new local coordinators.
Caps lids Plastic Bags Food wrappers/containers Beverage bottles (2l and less) Straws/stirrers Cigarette filters Rope Fishing line Beverage bottles/glass Cups, Plates, Forks, knives, spoon 2000 4000 6000 8000 Ten items collected the most in audited cleanups Amount of items collected in audited cleanups
Top ten items in 2010 International Coastal Cleanup
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Top 10 items collected in past 3 years audited cleanups in Northern, Western and Eastern Cape.
2008 2009 2010
Plastic caps from bottles 10 507 items. Plastic caps from bottles 8 203 items. Plastic caps from bottles 7 494 items. Plastic beverage bottles 6 001 items. Plastic beverage bottles 4 424 items. Plastic Bags 4 867 items. Plastic Bags 3 309 items Plastic Bags 2 546 items. Food wrappers and containers 4 199 items Glass beverage bottles 2 940 items. Food wrappers and containers 1 934 items. Plastic beverage bottles 4 041 items Food wrapper and containers 2 629 items. Rope 1 811 items. Plastic Straws/Stirrers 3 806 items. Cigarette filters 2 487 items. Cigarette filters 1 762 items. Cigarette filters 2 721 items. Rope 2 334 items Plastic Straws/Stirrers 1 730 items. Rope 2 438 items. Plastic Straws/Stirrers 2 205 items. Fishing line 1 513 items. Fishing line 1 752 items. Fishing Line 1 855 items. Glass beverage bottles 1 145 items. Glass beverage bottles 1 122 items. Beverage Cans 1 440 items. Beverage cans 824 items. Cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons 1 014 items.
found even on beaches where there is a structured cleanup on a daily basis as on the Blue Flag
instance plastic beverage bottles have dropped from the number 2 spot in 2009 to 4th in this year’s cleanup, but the amount of individual numbers was not reduced significantly. Its position was taken
containers.
the bulk of this figure.
and ear buds.
12th position below number 11 position held by clothing and shoes which has also increased since previous cleanups.
To increase the amount of volunteers and establish a streamlined logistical coordination for the future we have started with “Banner Cleanups” and these have formed the bulk in the increase of sponsorships.
4 (A Banner cleanup means: A large banner provided by the sponsor and branded with the wording – International Coastal Cleanup with the logos of the Plastics Federation and Ocean Conservancy on as well. By not adding the year we made the banner generic and will it be used for upcoming ICC’s). The sponsorship varied for the various Banner Cleanups and there was in some cases a cross sponsorship for other cleanups.
2010 Sponsors:
1. Plastics Federation of South Africa – 70 000 Refuse bags for Western, Southern and Northern Cape and 30 000 for Eastern Cape. 2. Pick ‘n Pay - R10 000 in vouchers and support of cleanup in Cape Town V & A Waterfront. The vouchers were distributed to most of the local coordinators and were used as either prizes in the cleanups or to buy support material for their cleanups. Pick n Pay has since the inception of the International Coastal Cleanup in the Cape Provinces been very active in their support and their support is one of the corner stone’s of the event. 3. Ripcurl – T shirts for all 50 coordinators, large amount of prizes for their Banner Cleanups and 3 banners. This is the first time that the clothing company has come on board with our efforts and unfortunately the material arrived too late for proper distribution to the 3 planned Banner Cleanups was reduced to cover only the underwater cleanup in the Cape Town Harbour and the bulk of the prizes have been sealed and stored for the 2011 cleanup. 4. Fortune Bottlers of Coca Cola – Soft drinks for various cleanups in the Eastern and Southern Cape areas, 10 Banners. Fortune Bottlers is apart from IBA Bottlers in the Kwazulu Natal area an
International Coastal Cleanup in South Africa. Soft drinks, as cleanups can be thirsty work, is one of the items that we need at all cleanups and with their support we were able to support most of the cleanups with adequate material. 5. Kelppak – R15 000 for support of cleanups within the False Bay, Cape Point, Kommetjie to Hout Bay
is a live kelp harvester in the Soetwater area and we used their funding for the following:
Technologies in Simon’s town for cleanup at Boulders beach and have educational presentations on marine science.
Education Centre for cleanup on that coastline.
Island.
WESSA supervision. 6. Fima Films – R15 000 for support of cleanups within the Overstrand area. 7. City of Cape Town – The Environmental Capacity Building, Training & Education Section of the Environmental Resource Management Department sponsored some of the cleanups in Cape Town and surroundings. 8. USABCO – 40 Buckets for use with cleanups in Eastern Cape of great quantities of small pieces of glass. 9. Irvin and Johnson – supported cleanups by the University of Stellenbosch.
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Within the spread-sheets outlining the individual cleanups (we only supply data cards for volunteers of grade 6 upwards), we have placed a section regarding the amount of data cards that formed the basis of the information collected and the total that was discarded. We noticed in the 2009 cleanup a large amount of data cards that was questionable, unclear or damaged in such a way that it could not be used. These cleanups were then classified as non audited cleanups. A total of 333 cards was discarded with 1 219 cards trusted enough for use We also need to look at the data card for the 2011 as there is some items on the list that needs to be more defined, for instance, the 2Liter or less beverage bottles encapsulates all plastic bottles and does not differentiate between bottles made from either PET or HD plastics. The item straws, stirrers for instance have been used for the plastic stick attached to lollypops. On some beaches the amount of these sticks
Without the local coordinators and volunteers this day would just not be – thanks to all for the hard work! We want to thank the Ocean Conservancy for their support in our efforts and keeping this event alive and well! Thanks to David Hughes and Douw Steyn of the Plastic Federation for supporting the cleanup and going that extra mile to ensure that the ICC in South Africa is sustainable. Mr. Hughes will be sorely be missed in the upcoming cleanups and other projects. One of the biggest supporters of the ICC in South Africa is Anna Dewhurst and her team from Pick ‘n Pay. Thanks Anna for all the laughs and making the ICC easier to coordinate. New sponsors have made the work also so much easier and I want to thank Ripcurl’s Allana Beales for her support. Kelpak for their support and trust in our effort – thank you. Thanks to Fima Films for their support in making sure that the packaging industry takes some responsibility for the material found on the coast. Megan Hainsworth of Fima was a pleasure to work with. Thanks to Coca Cola for all their support, especially the Fortune bottlers of the Eastern and Southern Cape.
We have already started planning for the International Coastal Cleanup next year on Saturday the 17th of
We were also asked by various groups that we establish more cleanup events during the year. Unfortunately we lack the capacity for such an action but we know that this event helps greatly to increase the awareness of marine debris and littering.
6 Out of the International Coastal Cleanup the following projects have grown to ensure that we make the sea and coast a safer and cleaner place for all. Marine Pollution/ Debris Activities Program s/ Projects initiated by Plastic Federation
1. Operation Clean Sweep [plastic pellets on beaches]: Process is based on USA and UK experience, documentation, etc. 2. Supply data to Japanese Project: Global Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Using Beached Plastic Resin Pellets. Gather samples, especially eastern and western seaboards. 3. Sponsorship of Bird Life SA - Sea Bird Research into effect of plastic pollution on sea birds. 4. Promotion of "divert-from-landfill" strategy and waste management knowledge transfer - working with municipalities to improve sorting and collection at source. Especially to reduce transfer of land based debris into rivers and then into the marine environment. Industry Waste Management Plan / Waste Act are relevant. 5. Network Relationship Project - with SANCCOB (Conservation of Coastal Birds) on dead sea bird autopsies to identify ingested plastics and assess rate of sea bird deaths. Focus is in W and E Cape - fishing industry areas. 6. Network Relationship Project with W Cape SPCA on seal entanglement - extent, type of plastics, deaths, etc - based on weekly beach sweep programme 7. SA Harbour Cleanup: focus on eight commercial harbours in 2010, and then ongoing, in conjunction with Transnet and KZN Wildlife. Transnet connects with local municipalities for support re land-based debris. Establish permanent Recycling capacity for selected materials for port tenants, and big business to be involved. 8. Cape Town Harbour [commercial and tourist areas] marine debris research project to assess the role and percentage of plastics. 9. Education and awareness - plastics pollution and cleanups - use PFSA web site: www.cleanup- SA.co.za - as management tool for marine activities and situations and education / awareness.
Cape Town] to be used for clean ups of river. A second boat has now been donated to clean the Beachwood Mangroves outside Durban as well.
Coast especially.
marine education centres - eight in total, at major centres.
(North, West and Eastern Cape).
Plastic caps 23% Plastic bags 15% Plastic Food wrappers 13% Plastic bottles 12% Plastic straws 11% Cigarette Filters 8% Rope 7% Fishing line 5% Glass bottle 3% Plastic cutlery 3%
The figures.
Amount of volunteers 11 876 Audited cleanup - volunteers 4 756 Un-audited cleanups - volunteers 7 120 Distance cleaned > 111.18 km* Weight collected > 13.65 tons*
* Un-audited cleanups weight and distance not included.
Western Cape
Plastic caps Plastic bags Food wrappers Plastic bottles < 2L Straws/plastic sticks Cigarette filters Rope Fishing line Plastic cutlery Glass bottles
Eastern Cape
Plastic caps Plastic bags Food wrappers Plastic bottles < 2L Straws/plastic sticks Cigarette filters Rope Fishing line Plastic cutlery Glass bottles
Northern Cape
Plastic caps Plastic bags Food wrappers Plastic bottles < 2L Straws/plastic sticks Food wrappers Rope Glass bottles Beverage cans Plastic sheeting
(2008, 2009 & 2010).
2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 2008 2009 2010
Plastic caps
Plastic Bottles
Plastic Bags
Glass bottles
Food wrappers
Cigarette filters
Rope
Straws/plastic sticks
Fishing line
Plastic cutlery
The 2010 International Coastal Cleanup has shown again that between 80 and 90 %
Plastic forms the bulk of that litter – plastic debris at sea and on the coast can be seen as a plea for a change in human behaviour – “DO NOT LITTER!”