PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay residents are committed to keeping the town clean this year.

This comes after the launch of the Keep Plett Clean's Bin Your Butt campaign as reported in this paper last month. 

It involves placing special bins, in the shape of a giant cigarette, on the town's beaches for smokers to dispose of their cigarette butts responsibly. 

Each unit should hold about 2 500 butts and Keep Plett Clean has agreed to handle the emptying of the bins.

The campaign started with 50 units that were installed on Central Beach, Robberg 5, The Wreck and several other key places.

Keep Plett Clean founder Alison Bryant explained that the organisation was established to work on all aspects of litter, refuse and waste over the past five years.

"We have the most amazing team of full-time cleaners and dedicated volunteers who give up their time and energy weekly to assist in various aspects of keeping Plett clean.

Some days the litter picked up is rather grim and smelly and we admire our team's determination and strong stomachs in always returning the following week to pick up more."

Bryant said their work has highlighted many challenges, such as household refuse being exposed to birds, homeless people and wind.
"The reason for this is that people put out refuse before or after the refuse collection day. Another issue is that people put refuse out in communal areas or away from their properties."

She added that some homeowners also do not take responsibility for their own refuse, refuse cages are often misused or not used at all and refuse bags are not strong or secure enough.

Bryant said there are also a few recycling issues. "Many people simply do not recycle. Recycling bags are dumped at recycle bins or just put out anywhere. Recycling bags are used for anything including garden refuse. We also find that junk and building material are dumped at recycling bins."
Another issue is that recycling bags are often filled with "dirty stuff" and not the correct material.

"We also find that recycling bins are broken open, fluorescent tubes are dumped in them and that recycling material is dumped at recycle bins."
She urged residents and visitors to assist in ending these challenges and to join the volunteer teams who meet in front of The Grand in Main Street on Tuesdays at 17:15. "Bags are supplied, but participants are urged to bring their own gloves." 

The Keep Plett Clean volunteers gathered on Central Beach last week for the launch of the Bin your Butt campaign in Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Yolande Stander

The Bin your Butt campaign was launched with the start of the festive season in Plettenberg Bay in an attempt to reduce pollution caused by cigarette butts. Photo: Yolande Stander

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