As the prices get lower through November, approaching Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and running into the festive season, locals are urged to be mindful of the waste created with every purchase. Buy only what you really need to help protect the environment and reduce pressure on landfills.
We all have a role to play in managing our waste and protecting our environment. Although big savings can tempt us into some retail therapy and help to spread the good cheer, this is not without its environmental impact.
For instance, electronic and electrical products such as cellphones, computers, fridges, irons, stoves and televisions that end up in landfill as e-waste can create significant environmental risks. E-waste may contain toxic, hazardous chemicals that are not biodegradable and can contaminate the environment.
Festive-season purchases also often come with heavy packaging that may at times be unnecessary for protecting the appliance during storage and transport, or may comprise non-recyclable materials.
The City of Cape Town therefore calls on residents to keep the environment in mind during this time of year.
Tips to prevent waste when shopping:
- Buy only what you need. A shopping list and a budget can help prevent impulse buys.
- Buy in bulk and cut down on products with lots of packaging – refills and concentrates generally require less packaging.
- Choose durable products that won’t need to be replaced often.
Tips to reduce the packaging waste burden:
- Check for recyclable packaging on boxes and opt for these items instead.
- Consult the material ID codes to avoid packaging made from type 3 or 7. These are seldom recyclable, if ever.
- Flatten cardboard boxes to use again in future and to save space when storing or sorting them for recycling.
- Store paper and cardboard inside to avoid it getting wet. Note that wet cardboard is not ideal for recycling.
- Use the City’s Think Twice recycling collection service to dispose of packaging where possible. Find out if you qualify here.
- Take recyclables to municipal drop-off sites or private buy-back centres.
How to dispose of e-waste:
Residents should be aware that the South African government has promulgated legislation to ensure producers take responsibility for the waste generated by products they sell, known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. A set of EPR regulations has been developed specifically for electrical and electronic equipment (as well as for various other product classes), and a number of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) have been set up to implement recycling and waste minimisation schemes funded by the manufacturers. The City encourages residents to engage with these PROs to find out more about how to dispose of e-waste in a responsible way.
In addition:
- Residents can check if retailers from which you purchased any electric/electronic appliances take back broken electronic devices or batteries. Bring yours in, rather than throwing them away.
- Upgrade, repair or recondition appliances instead of throwing them away where possible.
- Donate older but functional appliances to a school or charity
- Take old appliances/computers to a City drop-off site for potential re-use or refurbishment where possible.
“Waste is part of our daily lives, but each of us are responsible for how we manage and reduce our waste,” said Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee member for Urban Waste Management. “ Especially during seasons of high consumerism it is key for the residents and businesses of the city to come on board and play their part in minimising the amount of waste that makes it to landfill.
“Retailers should take up the challenge to reduce packaging waste or create recyclable packaging, and shoppers need to hold them accountable. Consumers have enormous power to effect change through where they spend their money. Let’s all work together and do what we can, where we are, to protect our environment by reducing waste that ends up at landfill.
