the completed bright mural in front of a bright blue sky

‘strength through partnership’

Using street art, theatre and song to reduce open dumping and burning of waste and increase plastic recycling

Uncontrolled plastic waste disposal is a serious problem in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, South Africa and threatens the environment and human health. Unmanaged waste is often burned, contributing to climate change and poor air quality.

Using street art, theatre and song the Masibambisane project aims to encourage changes in behaviour and attitudes towards waste management, and reduce open dumping and burning of waste and to increase plastic recycling.

About this project

Project dates: June 2022 - March 2023

The University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics are collaborating with international development organisation WasteAid, and provincial environmental government department, DARDLEA, to deliver the initiative as part of a wider feasibility study to test approaches to improve recycling of low value plastics.

Dr Cressida Bowyer and Stephanie Northen travelled to KwaMhlanga to work with local artists, musicians, waste reclaimers and local leadership, to co-develop a creative sensitisation campaign. Murals, theatre skits, and music are being used to raise awareness about the value of recycling, and to promote project interventions such as recycling bins and waste separation bays. The campaign addresses the needs of locals, and has been designed to appeal to the regional Ndebele culture while still being able to reach large audiences despite language or literacy barriers. Trusted local voices deliver the messages, which helps to reinforce the community-driven waste management approach, lends authenticity and promotes community action.

The project aims to drive increased recycling at the household level, and to reduce the widespread littering of plastic. The South Africa Plastics Pact has set a national target for 70% of plastic packaging to be effectively recycled by 2025.

 

The area is characteristic of many underserved regions when it comes to plastic waste collection and recycling. Some waste is taken to the municipal dumpsite if transport is available and the motivation is there. However, most waste is typically taken to the nearest dumping area and discarded. The waste is very mixed, with little separation into recyclables and non-recyclables - plastic nappies are prevalent. Informal waste reclaimers pick through and reclaim uncontaminated high value plastic waste. The remainder is either burned or buried when the volume becomes problematic.

Dr Cressida Bowyer, Deputy Director of the University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics

 

Project outcomes

Masibambisane music video

*Music*

Nathi: 

I’m now chasing away plastics

They asking what’s going on

They say that I’m crazy

But I’m making money 

 

 

I’m now chasing away plastics

They asking what’s going on

They say that I’m crazy

But I’m making money 

 

This world

Don’t act like you don’t see it

The filth is embarrassing

Yes, my brothers this world

 

 

This world

Don’t act like you don’t see it

The filth is embarrassing

Yes, my brothers this world

 

Hey black nation

The land is yours

Take it and give it love

You’ll see it will live for you 

 

 

Hey black nation

The land is yours

Take it and give it love

You’ll see it will live for you

 

Go down

And pick it up  

Go down

Pick up the bottle

Go down

Pick up the papers

Go down

Pick up the plastics

 

Penny:

I ask that we pick up bottles, papers, and plastic

The old and the young

Let’s work together

And make Kwa-Mhlanga clean

And make things happen

So, the dream can come true

Because we are working together

 

Reuse, recycle, recirculating 

We wasting no time

We calculating 

We cleaning our land go eco friendly

 

Peter:

Brothers and sisters

Masibambisane to make it cleaner 

Buyback centres can feed us 

No no it's not rubbish

It's extra income on the side

 

Brothers and sisters

Masibambisane to make it cleaner 

Buyback centres can feed us 

No no it's not rubbish

It's extra income on the side

 

Retracing our trade

Masibambisane

 

Retracing our trade

Masibambisane

 

Retracing our trade

Masibambisane

Funding

The project is funded by Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the International Circular Plastics Flagship Competition.

Logo for WRAP in dark blue
UK Research and Innovation Logo in blue

Project Partners

WasteAid's green text logo
Logo for Dardlea

Project members at the University of Portsmouth

Cressida Jane Bowyer Portrait

Media ready expert

Dr Cressida Bowyer

Associate Professor in Arts and Sustainability

cressida.bowyer@port.ac.uk

Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

PhD Supervisor

Read more

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Revolution Plastics Institute

From combatting microplastics to analysing plastic policies around the globe, we’re putting our research into practice, working with local groups, organisations, businesses and individuals to solve the planet's plastic problem.

Photo by James Wakibia
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