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/

Cooking on a gas hob can create higher levels of indoor air pollution than found on one of the UK’s busiest roads, a study has found.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/07/cooking-gas-hob-indoor-air-pollution-uk-road-study

Upstream interventions for waste reduction are currently underfunded compared to downstream solutions like recycling and recovery, which developing countries may lack capacity for. Financing must support a just transition for informal waste workers, NGOs urge. https://www.eco-business.com/news/redesign-reuse-refill-experts-call-for-upstream-solutions-to-be-prioritised-to-end-plastic-pollution/