Moosa to visit plastic bag recycling factory

THE Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mohammed Valli Moosa, will visit a plastic recycling factory on November 26 as part of National Environment Month activities. Various environmental awareness activities have been planned throughout South Africa as part of the government's attempts to encourage South Africans to take responsibility towards their environment and recognise the socio-economic benefits of environmental protection. The theme of Environment Month is: "Partnerships for responsible environmental management in pushing back the frontiers of poverty." Plastic bags have been identified as the most visible form of waste and have become an eyesore for locals and foreign visitors alike. In September this year, government signed an agreement with business and labour to replace current plastic bags in use with thicker recyclable bags from May 2003. (Miguel de Sousa)