While September marked the transformation of South Africa into a warmer and greener landscape, it was also the month when “greener” and more sustainable environmental practices took centre stage. Glass Recycling Month, as well as Clean-up and Recycle Week, a Clean-Up SA initiative, drew the attention of communities across the country to the social, economic and environmental benefits of recycling and called upon all citizens to play their part in building a sustainable future for our nation.
“This year, Glass Recycling Month served to highlight the importance of selecting and recycling glass packaging. In this way we protect the environment, reduce our carbon footprint as a country and conserve much needed energy for our national electricity grid,” explains The Glass Recycling Company chief executive officer, Shabeer Jhetam.
Indeed, as a nation we consume 3 million tons of glass packaging annually but only need to produce 1 million tons as a direct result of not only our advanced returnable system, but also our country’s intensive recycling efforts. This means that far less carbon and greenhouse emissions are created in the production of our country’s glass requirements, than would be necessary were we to create all our glass bottles and jars from scratch.
Preserve Our Future
South Africa is one of 20 countries with the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita, and so it is imperative that we all play our part by stepping up our recycling efforts. Conserving energy is an efficient way to lower our carbon footprint and by visiting www.tgrc.co.za and making use of the website’s energy calculator, consumers can view just how much energy they are saving by recycling glass. The recycling of only one glass container per week, by way of example, has the power to light a compact florescent bulb for 7 hours 8 minutes; operate a computer for 20 minutes; and switch on a TV for 13 minutes.
“With over a billion bottles being recycled in the past year, and a recycling rate of 40.9% we can certainly say that South Africans from all walks of life are ensuring that glass is being diverted from our landfills at an increasingly rapid rate. With that said, there is still more that we as responsible citizens can do to the preserve the future of our country and indeed our planet,” adds Jhetam.
Of all the glass packaging used in South Africa annually, an exceptional 80% is prevented from entering landfills. This is made possible through the combined efforts of recycling and the use of returnable/refillable bottles. As a result, glass is the packaging type that is most diverted from landfills in our country.
While Glass Recycling Month may be drawing to a close, make sure you heed the glass recycling call and play your part in ensuring a greener future for our nation. To find one of the 4 000 glass banks conveniently located around the country, visit www.tgrc.co.za for more information. All it takes is at least one glass container a week to really make a difference.
Glass Recycling Tips:
Here are some simple tips from TGRC to help you recycle glass more effectively and contribute to a greener SA:
- Glass containers, bottles and jars, such as those used for food and beverages can be recycled.
- Encourage those around you to do the same – wouldn’t they feel guilty throwing away glass that can be so easily recycled? Take your kids with you and show them how and where to put their bottles.
- Make sure you take back returnable bottles. These will be washed and sterilised hygienically by the manufacturer, refilled and reused – these include large beer bottles, certain glass cool drink bottles and even many of the bottles used for spirits and liquor.
- In South Africa, it’s not necessary to place different coloured glass into separate banks or wash glass before placing it into “Glass Banks” making glass recycling time efficient.
Source: longevitylive
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