We are constantly hearing marketing strategies and plights to save our oceans from pollution, save our oceans from plastic, but we don’t seem to hear the same ‘wooha’ about the land animals. When we hear or see terrible things every day, we almost become immune to the message which is so sad. On the other hand we might think “I recycle”, “I throw my trash in the bin”, “I’m doing my bit” and leave it at that without creating further awareness of the problem. In my job we try and create awareness about nature and recycling and provide the bins at the entrance to the nature reserve…we thought “we’re doing a good job”, “there have been no problems”…until recently. On a recent patrol we were shocked to discover trash bags ripped to shreds in the reserve and several animal scat filled with plastic!
Was it from the bins, someone who dumped a full bag of trash in the reserve, or did it bring the bag in from outside…we don’t know. What we do know is that we are clearly NOT doing enough in the awareness department, but this will change!
Marine life often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, while land animals scavenge through rubbish when they smell food. Ingested plastic stays in the animals gut, it cannot be digested…this prevents food digestion which can lead to starvation and a very slow painful death. Did you know it can take up to 1000 years for plastic to break down?! Once the animal dies and decays, the plastic is released back into the environment to claim its next victim.
We are surrounded by so many nature reserves and natural areas right on our doorsteps, at UWC, literally on our doorstep. Do you know what animals are in your area? When you learn to love the animals you are surrounded by, you are more likely to make a conscious decision to protect them.
Tips:
- Ensure animals can’t reach into your bin to pull out bags…mongoose and caracals are sneaky animals (this includes domestic animals).
- Snakes are attracted to rubbish heaps, so keeping your property clean will help keep them away.
Written by Laurenda van Breda
YOUR INPUT COUNTS!!
Should the Cape Flats Nature Reserve keep its two bins (one inside the reserve at each entrance) or close them and create more awareness that it is a bin-free area and all rubbish should be taken back out with them?
Links on the topic to help you make an informed decision:
Bin and gone: Government gets rid of 40 bins from Hong Kong hiking trails in order to 'reduce waste'
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1859952/bin-and-gone-hong-kong-hiking-trails-see-bins
Parks are experimenting with removing waste receptacles altogether.
https://www.citylab.com/life/2015/11/fewer-trash-cans-less-trash/415023/
Containers will ruin conservation areas,’ say wheelie bin campaigners
http://archive.camdennewjournal.com/news/2012/apr/%E2%80%98containers-will-ruin-conservation-areas%E2%80%99-say-wheelie-bin-campaigners
Table Bay Nature Reserve's quarterly report: ”Refuse bins were phased out at public picnic and braai areas of the Table Bay Nature Reserve’s Rietvlei Water Area during this quarter. Refuse bins in public visitor areas do not promote a culture of taking responsibility for one’s own refuse. Many other nature reserves and national parks are also changing their approach to managing refuse collection in visitor areas, and requesting visitors to take out everything that they bring in with them. Small refuse bags were offered to visitors free of charge at the main entrance gate, and they were allowed in the interim to drop off their refuse at designated drop-off points in the Nature Reserve. By the end of the year all visitors will be responsible for the legal disposal of their own refuse.” http://www.friendsofrietvlei.co.za/documents/2014-Q3.pdf
Bracken Nature Reserve
This reserve has a “no-bin policy” and all visitors are encouraged to recycle and re-use all the recyclable materials. Please don't litter.
http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/see-all-city-facilities/our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Bracken%20Nature%20Reserve
Call for council to provide more bins at Braywick Nature Reserve
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