Grounds and Gardens manages waste and Recycling at Rhodes University.
Plastic is one of the most common forms of environmental pollution. It spoils public spaces and has a negative impact on health and wellness. Makana, the Eastern Cape, and South Africa, need to tackle this serious form of pollution!
Leading by example:
The Institute for Water Research supports calls for an end to the use of single-use plastic water bottles except in emergency situations. The environmental and health consequences of the manufacture, transportation, use and disposal of these bottles are well documented. The Institute does not supply single-use plastic water bottles for meetings, alumni events, conferences, etc, and requires catering suppliers to comply with this. Both staff and students are encouraged to make use of multi-use water bottles.
Information on single-use plastic can be obtained by following the link to the
Makana Plastic Action Group https://www.facebook.com/MakanaPlasticAction/
Zero Waste - the best option in the 'waste hierarchy'.
Reduce unnecessary consumption, packaging and waste generation.
Re-use plastic waste creatively for arts and crafts. Visit Kisma Kreative.
Recycle - the last option in the 'waste hierarchy', delaying the entry of plastic waste into the system.
If other options for preventing plastic waste are exhausted, it is possible to recycle most types of plastic.
What's in? Bear in mind that exposure to some plastics may have health and safety implications.
What's out? Bear in mind that exposure to some plastics may have health and safety implications.
Plastic number 3 (vinyl or PVC = polyvinyl chloride; e.g. piping, clear vinyl bags & packaging, insulator on electric wire, and some shampoo & detergent bottles, soft plastic toys, etc) - toxic dioxins (PCDDs or Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins) are released as a result of a combination of heat and chlorine.
Exposure of polycarbonate plastic bottles to boiling water results in much higher levels of a potentially harmful chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA).
Look for the Recycling Symbol & Number on the plastic. Find out more from the Daily Green's Recycling Symbols on Plastics and 3 Suspect Plastics to Avoid.
| Recycling code | Abbreviated name | Full polymer name | Used in: |
| 1 | PET/PETE | Polyethylene terephthalate | Polyester fibres, soft-drink bottles |
| 2 | HD-PE | High-density polyethylene | Bottles, plastic shopping bags, recycling bins |
| 3 | PVC/V | High-density polyethylene | Pipe, fencing, non-food bottles2 |
| 4 | LD - PE | Low-density polyethylene | Plastic bags, containers, dispensing bottles |
| 5 | PP | Polypropylene | Auto parts, industrial fibres |
| 6 | PS | Polystyrene | Coffee cups, toys, video cassettes |
| 7 | OTHER | Other plastics | Various |
Ref: Mark Gibson (2010). Waste Not, Want Not, Why Not? ReSource. (SA ePublications)
Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za
Last Modified: Tue, 06 Nov 2018 20:57:00 SAST