What a waste!
Over the last 50 years it is estimated that we have dumped some 50 million tonnes of plastic and other waste materials into the oceans. Just the amount of beach cleanups that happen across the country every weekend is testament to the constant stream of rubbish that is out there floating about in the oceans. But it’s not just plastic that ends up in our waterways. Wastewater, or any water that contains what is effectively human sewerage, has a massive impact on human health, ecosystems and never mind the potentially interesting pathogens that might tag along with it. A very concentrated example of this is the two Nigerian waterfront front communities of Makoko Waterfront in Lagos and Chicoco in Port Harcourt where there is little infrastructure that cannot support the effective waste management that comes from some 85,000 residents occupying every square inch of land. Al Jazeera put together this interesting report and footage of the area (link Here)
Now, this is an extreme example mind you. We don’t have nearly the same problem here in South Africa, but it’s always good to see the far end of the spectrum of what serious waste mismanagement can look like. Back to home and in Cape Town the Department of Waste and Sanitation is responsible in South Africa for overseeing the effective, appropriate and environmentally sustainable removal of human waste. A lot of the waste we have gets pumped out into the sea around Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Green Point and Robben Island. But lately arial photographs taken by marine photographer Jean Tresfon show large plumes of apparently untreated effluent that every so often waft into the shorelines along the city of Cape Ton’s coastlines.
Spike of Wavescape put together this stellar article on the recent photographs that have been circulating on Facebook around the City of Cape Town. It’s an absolutely fascinating and well-researched read and worth hitting the link if you really want a good understanding on the issues at play here. He said it so well there is no need for me to repeat here so follow THIS link for the article.
And that got me thinking back to last year when I asked a very talented friend of mine to do a guest post for this website, and aptly it appeared on my computer screen just as I was reading about the plumes off Hout Bay. Bernelle is a Bioprocess Engineer and known around town as bit of a water maverick and all round disrupter. She somehow always manages to shift the bigger system by pushing hard against existing structures and if you have ever been to a braai with her you would know she is a firm believer an integrated approach to education, resource management and profitability is achievable.
I think her words are pretty fitting to add into the discussions around waste management.
Follow Bernelle’s work at:
Blog:
http://indiebio.yousemble.com/
Twitter: @indiebio
So while waste management is the main issue here, one should also start thinking about waste in general and how we manage our own personal waste. Hey every little bit counts right? There is also no better time than now to start as September is the Clean-Up South Africa month and the 19th is International Costal Cleanup day- so if you were thinking of making your own personal changes, even if it is just in the recycling department than September is a good time to start.
Some Resources from Bernelle:
Newstatesman: I've seen fartbags you people wouldn't believe
Rose George: The Big Necessity
And extra reading to take home:
Here a young lass in New York City, called Lauren Singer, has found a way to live a Zero waste lifestyle. Now while this might not be practice for everyone and lets be honest she looks like a bit of a hipster, but some of her recycling tips and ideas are pretty nifty.
I found this interesting little clip online that gives an easy, simple understanding of what wastewater is: Two Minutes on Oceans with Jim Toomey: Wastewater
Beach clean ups near you:
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Well said! Waste and rubbish mismanagement is a real problem nowadays and the only way to fight is by start thinking instead of consuming! Unfortunately, this is not an overnight process and each of us should make a step to the right direction by reducing their waste to the minimum. Greetings, Rubbish Clearance Bromley Ltd.
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