Recycling: Why do South Africans care so little about it?

The recycling of recyclable products in South Africa makes up only 10 % of the over 50 million tonnes of waste that ends up in our landfills. South Africa has a population of 60 255 734 people, and very few take the time to sort their rubbish into recyclables and ordinary waste.

WHY IS SO LITTLE DONE ABOUT RECYCLING IN SA?

But the main question is, why is so little done about recycling in our country?

According to Stats SA, the recycling behaviour of households depends greatly on the ability of all municipalities to provide adequate refuse and removal services. These are seriously lacking in our country.

RECYCLING IS SOMETHING THAT ALL CITIZENS SHOULD WORRY ABOUT

Recycling is something that all citizens should worry about. The amount of waste filling up waste sites is ever-increasing, taking up land that could otherwise have been utilised more effectively. It also creates a strain on the environment as a whole.

StatsSA says 24 to 28 years old only recycle 3.3% of their waste

The surprising statistic is that one in five households of seniors over 65 years do the most recycling.

The five top recycling countries in the world might surprise you:

• Germany – This European country recycles 56.1% of also its waste. This is effectively done through close collaboration between manufacturers and the government.
• Austria – The Austrians put 53.8% of their waste in the proper recycling station or bins. In 2020, the country banned importing and selling certain types of plastics.
• South Korea – This country recycles 53.7%of all its waste. The programme has succeeded since privately run companies purchase and sell recycled waste.
• Wales – This country in Great Britain was recorded to have recycled 52.2% of its waste in 2018. This is largely due to the establishment of constitutional rules set out by the government, whereby it has a statutory duty to help promote sustainable development.
• Switzerland – This country has implemented the “polluter pay” policy. Households are fined for not practising good recycling practices. This is also the first of its kind in the world.

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Earth Day 2023’s message was ‘Invest in our Planet’. There are currently 8 billion people on this planet

ALSO READ: Earth Day 2023: This year’s theme, the story of its founder, and how to get involved

“We cannot tire or give up. We owe it to the present and future generation of all species to rise up and walk”.

Dr Wangari Maathai

Maathai is an environmental activist and the first African woman to win a Nobel Prize for her Green Belt initiative.

So why should we take time to recycle? Firstly it conserves natural resources, protects fragile ecosystems and wildlife, it reduces the need for raw materials, it helps to reduce harmful carbon emissions, it’s cheaper than waste disposal, and it can even tackle youth employment.

ALSO READ: Rural South African woman turns to recycling to support family