The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) is thrilled to announce that it was one of the recipients of the 2023 Caroline Reid Award for Clean-Up Champions of the Year. The certificates were awarded by Plastics SA on 18 July 2023 over as part of the 2nd Annual Mandela Day activities and the official launch of Cleanup & Recycle SA Week 2023, the that took place at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director of Plastics SA, explained that the Caroline Reid Award was launched three years ago to recognize and reward excellence in South Africa by individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to waterways, marine, and coastal clean-up initiatives.

“These annual awards acknowledge outstanding efforts in preserving South Africa's environment, particularly in addressing plastic pollution. SAVA's long-standing commitment and support for our clean-up and recycle activities over the past 11 years have earned them this esteemed honour and made them a worthy recipient,” Douw said.

Monique Holtzhausen, Chief Executive Officer of SAVA, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating: "As an industry association representing the local vinyls industry, SAVA wholeheartedly supports Plastics SA’s sustainability projects that focus on removing plastic litter from the environment.  Because less than 2 % of PVC is used in packaging applications, it is the plastic that contributes the least to visible litter in the environment. Moreover, most vinyl products are used in long-term applications that have a life span of 50 years or more, such as  water pipes, cables, flooring, windows, fencing, and decking. Nevertheless, we recognise the importance of supporting all Plastics SA’s efforts to coordinate clean-ups in neighbourhoods, on beaches or along rivers and streams, as well as to educate the public about proper waste disposal and the importance of recycling”.

Concludes Douw: “SAVA has played a significant role in promoting sustainable practices and environmental responsibility within the industry. Their dedication to supporting cleanup initiatives and keeping the environment free from plastic waste has been unwavering. We are grateful for their financial support and the PVC gumboots which help shield the teams of volunteers from insect or snake bites while cleaning up the rivers. We are immensely grateful for the loyal support of the vinyl industry. Plastics are valuable and serve as an essential part of modern life, but it is crucial that they never end up in rivers, streams, or oceans, unless they are in the form of gloves, gumboots, or rubbish bags being used to keep the environment clean and litter-free."