Build a future with EcoBricks – Sponsored by ABSA, powered by Cango Wildlife Ranch, and an initiative for KKNK 2020

We’ve all heard it, seen it and even experienced it – one of the biggest problems our environment faces is plastic pollution. A very versatile and durable product that takes from 10 to 1000 years to decompose. What was once regarded as one of the greatest inventions, has since the 1950s skyrocketed from an annual production of 1,5 million tons of plastic to over 320 million tons per year. A growth rate that is devastating our environment, oceans and wildlife.

Most forms of plastic have a shocking life-span of only a few seconds to a few hours after purchase. No nostalgia or after-thought attached to it. Have you ever wondered where that wrapper or bottle ends up?
Most rubbish ends up on municipal landfills, which are growing at a rapid rate. Pair that with human population increasing faster than we can count, it won’t be long until our rubbish has nowhere else to go. So what can you do?

We look at a few options often a reality in South Africa:

1.    Leave it on the ground

Believe it or not, a big portion of our population leaves their rubbish as it lies. Pieces of plastic left in the environment can literally suffocate local fauna and flora. Plastic then further, breaks-up into micro-plastics, which then forms part of many animals’ diet… and even ours. Micro-plastics can lead to dire malnutrition and other horrific side-effects and both humans and animals.

2.    Let’s burn the waste

When burning waste, we are moving from soil-and environmental pollution to air pollution. Air pollution results in poor quality air, and damages our ozone layer – adding to the global crisis we are already facing, known as climate change.

3.    Let’s throw our waste into the ocean?

Some believe that ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is the best approach. Many allow their waste to ‘disappear’ into the ocean. Just like on land the effects would be horrific. Currently, more than 100 000 sea mammals and turtles and 1000 000 sea birds die annually due to plastic waste… and these are just the ones we know of.  

4.    Let’s recycle! Few people realise that not all plastics are recyclable. Knowing the difference is important in order to recycle effectively. In a town like Oudtshoorn, the options for recycling and the infrastructure thereof is very limited and hard for the public to access.  

5.    Let’s eliminate plastic from our lives!

This is for sure the best option for any consumer, but one that will require a lifestyle change. Although it is possible to limit plastic from our daily lives, it is a difficult lifestyle to achieve without the necessary resources from government, the retail sector and also the community.

So what is the best option?

6.    Make EcoBricks!

It is an amazing way to put plastic and other non-recyclables to great use. EcoBricks can contribute towards a positive and permanent structure or artwork, which can benefit a home, neighbourhood or community directly – all whilst keeping the rubbish from polluting our environments.   

What is an EcoBrick?

An EcoBrick is in a very basic way described as a 2L plastic bottle convereted into a compact plastic brick.  The EcoBrick is densely compacted with all sorts of plastics and non-biodegrabale materials by using a pipe or stick. Each EcoBrick should weigh between 550g – 600g and should maintain its shape even when stood on. One brick also can contain about four bags of plastic which will not make it into our environment. Five EcoBricks is already 3kg’s of plastic that can be used in a much more functional way. EcoBricks can turn into art, furniture, school benches, and even buildings! The possibilities are endless.

Make the difference

Your plastic can either land up in our environment or a community structure. We encourage you to take action and help us to keep our communities clean.

Get paid to help!

ABSA has reached out to Cango Wildlife Ranch to facilitate a mass intake of EcoBricks for their KKNK 2020 art-project. The motivation is to put an initiative in place that will benefit both the environment and the greater community – and this EcoBrick campaign ticked all the boxes.

Thanks to ASBA, Cango Wildlife Ranch is currently buying EcoBricks at R2 per unit! More information on how to make an EcoBrick is available on Cango Wildlife Ranch’s website and social media.

EcoBricks can currently be given in at Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudtshoorn and De Rust Tourism and The Lighthouse Project. The first target is to reach 10 000 EcoBricks by January 2020, and after that, to strive for another 10 000 – a total of 20 000 EcoBricks. 10 000 EcoBricks removes 6000kg’s of plastics and non-recyclables from our environment … 20 000 a whopping 1,2 tons of refuse!

This will hopefully be the first of many ‘WonderBrick’ initiatives to come.

For more information, please contact Cango Wildlife Ranch on 044 279 5593 / [email protected]