South Africa is drowning in its own detritus. The population surged by almost 10% from 2011 to 2017, driving consumption — and waste — to new heights, but waste disposal mechanisms are not keeping up.https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/2025-05-14-ubuntu-can-help-achieve-the-dream-of-zero-landfill/

While the Sutang River once irrigated crops, farmers and locals now report that the polluted waters are doing more harm than good.  https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/sutang-river-pollution-microplastics-bangladesh-farmers/

Water pollution in South Africa, as in other developing countries, poses a significant health and economic threat. https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/tiny-technology-that-can-find-pollution-in-south-africas-water-and-trap-it/

Waste reclaimers are seen as nothing more than homeless nuisances, but their invaluable work saves municipalities millions of rands each year, not to mention landfill space.https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/news-headlines/2025/05/12/aro-demands-space-for-reclaimers/

Untreated sewage being discharged into Gauteng’s rivers is adversely affecting critical ecosystems, communities and economic opportunities, says political party Democratic Alliance (DA) infrastructure shadow member of the executive council (MEC) Nico De Jager. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sewage-discharge-requires-urgent-interventions-2025-04-10

A government-backed initiative is paying residents to recycle e-waste, helping to reduce toxic pollution and improve waste management. https://www.citizen.co.za/news/e-waste-crisis-sparks-recycling-initiative-in-limpopo/

The Klip River in Gauteng has turned into a “chemical reservoir” as the vital water source feeding into the Vaal River System finally reached critical pollution levels.https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2025/03/28/pollution-has-finally-turned-the-klip-river-toxic/

SAP is urging South African companies to prepare for incoming plastic legislation to protect profit and the planet.https://infrastructurenews.co.za/2025/03/26/sa-companies-urged-to-fast-track-compliance-to-incoming-plastics-legislation/

On 30 March, the world observes the International Day of Zero Waste, an occasion dedicated to raising awareness and fostering global action towards waste reduction, sustainable resource management, and environmental preservationhttps://infrastructurenews.co.za/2025/03/26/south-africa-unites-for-a-waste-free-future-on-international-day-of-zero-waste/

n Snake Park, the evidence of sickness is written in gold dust. Its source towers over the Soweto neighbourhood: a mine dump, loaded with toxic metals, relics of an era when South Africa produced about a third of all the gold ever mined on Earth https://mg.co.za/health/2025-03-25-toxic-storm-brewing-in-sowetos-snake-park-neighbourhood/