PLASTIC FREE WEDNESDAYS As an Attempt to Eliminate Plastic 19/06/2021
On the 19th June the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture through its information team visited the General Manager of Shoprite to gather his opinions about plastic free Wednesdays. Mr. Pitso Melao gave an overview of how the plastic free Wednesdays have worked perfectly for the customers even though some were not aware, but some were since they heard about it on television and on social media.
He said Shoprite was very much interested in working
with the ministry and UNDP on this project and wished
they had started this project earlier. He said every Wednesday will be free plastic day in all Shoprite stores across the 10 districts. He also added that they have about 18 stores in the country and said if they customers plastic, they would be playing an important role in saving the environment from all sorts of harm caused by plastic.
On behalf of the Ministry Ms. Moleboheng Petlane said they were thankful to the public for agreeing to the #plasticfreewednesdays and also thanked the stores that agreed to work with them cooperatively in making this project a success. Few mentioned stores were Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Pep etc.
OBSERVING PLASTIC FREE WEDNESDAYS #Plastic free Wednesdays 12/07/2021
On the 12th June, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture, Honorable Ntlhoi Motsamai held a Press Conference at State Library to convey a message on Plastic free days.
First and foremost, she urged the public in general to work together to curb any waste caused by plastic by acknowledging and regarding free Wednesdays which commenced weekly from 14 July 2021. She further said, the stores were expected not to give customers plastics on Wednesdays and since most stores had agreed on that issue, she therefore urged the public to work together with the business owners.
She further stated that plastic waste was a global problem more especially in developing countries, and therefore
she said lack of funding and resources worsened the situation. She said the solution would only be reached if people could change their perspective on plastic and use it to make a living. As she continued with her speech, the Minister said, in an effort to improve a good working relationship with the stakeholders on plastic use and management, the ministry worked collaboratively with UNDP to make the public aware on reducing use of plastic.
In closing, she said the plastic waste management project would be a success if all stakeholders such as business owners, the Ministry and UNDP could work collectively. Lastly she said; “together we can curb
any plastic related waste”
On the 12th June, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture, Honorable Ntlhoi Motsamai held a Press Conferenceat State Library to convey a message on Plastic free days.