PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While Plettenberg Bay has received many accolades over the years, including being one of the country's top beach destinations, the town is now aiming to become the top tourist destination in the fight against plastic pollution.
Several organisations have come together to make this happen. The Fat Fish restaurant, in partnership with Nature's Valley Trust, Renew Able Plett, Keep Plett Clean and Plett Tourism, has created a challenge in taking the first steps to achieve this.
The challenge is for every Plett restaurant, café and takeaway establishment to strive to achieve a set of three objectives by World Oceans Day on 8 June.
The plan is to eliminate not only plastic straws but also individually wrapped after-dinner sweets and polystyrene containers.
Massive impact on marine life
According to statistics, between 1- and 8-million tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean every year. This has a massive impact on animals, particularly marine animals, including entanglement and issues relating to the ingestion of plastic waste.
Last year, about 380-million tons of plastic were produced across the globe with only 9% having been recycled.
Some research suggests that within the next three decades there could be more plastic, in terms of weight, than fish in the ocean.
The group is aiming to equip business owners with the tools and resources required to make the necessary changes within their establishments.
'Community-driven campaign'
According to the team behind the initiative, it is a "truly community-driven" campaign and it is hoped that more than 80 local businesses would participate as this would make a tangible difference in the way Plettenberg Bay is perceived.
They said, if successful, the challenge has the potential to add an entirely new dimension to the town's profile – that of "South Africa's top eco-friendly destination".
"In addition, we are hoping that this is not simply a once-off campaign but will be followed up each year, focusing on different sectors within our local economy and expanding the objectives of those who have already participated," the team said.
Plettenberg Bay already has several "Renew Able ambassadors". These businesses are recognised for reducing single-use plastics, upskilling staff or composting kitchen waste, recycling or giving discounts to people who bring their own reusable coffee cups.
Other ambassadors including high-profile entertainers like Goodluck and Freshlyground.
Find out more
For more information about the challenge, contact Nicola Ash on nicola@thefatfish.co.za or call 044 533 4740.
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