Online Journal of Social Sciences Research

Volume 1 Issue 2, Pages 49-53

©2012 Online Research Journals

Available Online at https://onlineresearchjournals.org/JSS

Full Length Research Article

 

The Incidence of Plastic Waste and Their Effects in Alice, South Africa.   Remigios V. Mangizvo   Doctoral student at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. E-mail: rvmangizvo@gmail.com   Downloaded 15 March, 2012 Accepted 22 April, 2012

Plastic grocery bags which have become a part of life for many people have become an environmental nuisance in Alice in South Africa. This is despite the legislation by government in 2003 banning production and use of thin plastics. They are lightweight and can therefore be blown over long distances. They become difficult to deal with once they enter into the environment. They take up to 1000 years to disintegrate. They are the most ubiquitous form of litter in the town and its surrounding environment. They hang in trees, litter open spaces and clog drains resulting in flooding of streets. Plastics are the most common floating litter item in the Tyume river. They are an eyesore and a threat to animals and aquatic life. Their preponderance in the environment needs to be reduced through awareness campaigns, recycling and reuse.   Keywords: Plastic waste, plastic bags, environmental pollution, Alice, South Africa.

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