Recycling on Earth Summit Agenda

While global warming, energy policy and international politics gain most of the attention at the Johannesburg Earth Summit, recycling has also quietly been taking place.

A Zero Waste Team that includes Californian Gary Liss has worked to set up recycling programs at the Summit’s Global Forum venue, which runs from Aug. 26 through Sept. 4 in South Africa’s largest city.

A news release from the Zero Waste Team says a 72 percent recycling rate has been achieved by avoiding non-recyclable materials such as PVC plastic, composting food and other organic wastes and by promoting the use of the recycling bins placed at conference venues.

“At the Earth Summit Global Forum we are demonstrating that nearing Zero Waste is possible,” says Muna Lukhani of Earthlife Africa, who is the coordinator of the Zero Waste Earth Summit Team.