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The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mohammed Valli Moosa, today (Tuesday, 1 April 2003) visited workers at a plastic bag recycling factory in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, to observe how waste recycling was improving people's lives for the better.

Minister Moosa visited the factory, Transpaco, as part of government's Imbizo Focus Week, which began yesterday, 31 March 2003, and ends on Sunday, 6 April 2003.

His visit comes just over a month before regulations controlling the use of plastic bags come into effect on May 9. Minister Moosa's visit was aimed at getting a first-hand account from the workers on how the recycling industry had changed their lives through job creation. Transpaco employs just over 200 workers.

The Minister went on a tour of the recycling plant before addressing the workers. He was accompanied by the General-Secretary of the Chemicals, Energy, Paper, Print, Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu), Welile Nolingo.

Addressing workers, Minister Moosa said government remained committed to community empowerment, adding that the implementation of the regulations will, for the first time, put value to plastic bags.

"It will ensure a dramatic strengthening of the recycling industry, the creation of much-needed jobs for the unemployed and the retention of current jobs in the plastics industry," he said, adding that government will continue finding new ways of managing waste while empowering its people.

He further told them that a Section 21 company will be established to, among other things, promote efficiency in the use, re-use, collection, recycling and disposal of plastic bags.

The company will also manage and support government in the removal of plastic bag litter from environmentally sensitive areas.

The Minister said the signing of an agreement on the management of plastic bag between government, business and labour in September last year was ground breaking, as it saw the three parties forge a partnership against waste while ensuring the empowerment of South Africans.

Mr Nolingo told the workers that the regulations were a victory for all as they will lead to the retention of jobs for workers and creation of new jobs through recycling. "We have made the most fundamental achievement securing jobs for our workers, which is the number one priority of all trade unions."

He added that organised labour would embark on a national campaign to train shop stewards on monitoring the implementation of the regulations. This is to ensure that all the parties abide by the agreement to produce thicker plastic bags.

Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi visited various community empowerment projects in Mabeskraal, North West Province, where she held a meeting with members of the local community (call Zodumo Mbuli on 084 680 7860 for more information).

On Thursday, senior Department officials will visit a plastic bottle recycling plant in Blackheath, Western Cape, which empowers the local community.

Contact: Phindile Makwakwa on 082 850 9559, (012) 310-3401, (021) 465-7240

Issued by Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

1 April 2003