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Blue Flag beaches get new lollipop bins

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South Africa’s Blue Flag beaches are being fitted with new bins for the collection and retrieval of lollipop sticks, plastic straws and earbuds. The bins are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and are easy to spot as they look like periscopes sticking out of the ground.The new bins are the result of a collaborative project between Seadog Sport, Plastics|SA and DPI Plastics. Their goal is to reduce the number of plastic sticks (used for lollipops, earbuds and straws) on South Africa’s top beaches. These plastic sticks are among the most commonly found beach pollutants.“Building on the success of [our fishing line bins], close to 400 ‘lolly bins’ are being installed at selected Blue Flag beaches, as well as other coastal areas throughout South Africa,” says Plastics|SA sustainability manager, John Kieser.

Lollipop bins make for easy recycling

The narrow shape of the bins ensures that no other large waste items can be placed inside. The white PVC lollipop bins are branded with labels that highlight their uses. Kieser encourages beachgoers to help pick up any plastic sticks on the sand and place them in the bins.“These sticks are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) polymers which are both recycled in South Africa,” explains Kieser. “If enough of these sticks are collected, they can be used to create a wide range of different products, such as non-food grade packaging, rope, toys, piping, recycling bins and other household items,” he adds.

Collaboration for good

The collaboration between Seadog Sport and Plastics|SA is a positive one. “Reducing plastic waste on our beaches and in oceans is a major focus for us and we are excited about collaborating with Plastics|SA and other partners on this project, which offers a very practical solution to a growing problem,” says Seadog Sport co-founder, Simon Brooker.“This collaboration represents another step towards helping in the conservation and safety of our marine and coastal life, which goes hand-in-hand with cleaner beaches,” says Brooker. “If the material can be collected on a large scale, it can be recycled instead of ending in a landfill and in the environment as at present,” he explains.Keep an eye out for these quirky new bins on a beach near you and help clean the environment by placing plastic sticks in the lollipop bins. Reducing waste is everyone’s responsibility and these bins will make it easier to keep our Blue Flag beaches litter-free.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Through growth, transformation and engagement, we strive to find new ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment. ___By pairing international expertise with local insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers of waste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in the recycling, pipe inspection, CCTV, infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries. ___Follow us Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See our Instagram and YouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.