South Africa sends around 95 million tonnes of waste to 826 landfill sites, and less than 40% of materials are recycled (https://recyclinginternational.com/business/latest-recycling-stats-for-south-africa/27327/ 

The coronavirus crisis has highlighted humans' impact on the planet. Nature showing signs of recovery when we were all urged to stay home. It might not carry the same level of priority for all of us, but we all want a healthy natural environment. If only it was not so difficult to minimise our personal impact on the planet.

Personally we have tried to reduce the waste generated by our family of four. We are profoundly aware of waste as we walk down countless dirty streets in our city. We also lived near a landfill which exceeded its capacity and was the site of numerous fires. That landfill is still open today.

We resorted to reading the labels of packaging, stuffing some plastic items into eco-bricks, others into our recycling bin, which we drive to one of the few recycling companies in Bloemfontein. We have made reusable fresh produce bags and supported the local small businesses who allow "bring your own" (BYO) packaging to refill a few specific grocery items. Still, our overflowing bins show us this is clearly not enough.

We draw our inspiration from Bea Johnson's Global Zero Waste Movement (https://zerowastehome.com/. We have also seen the efficiency in BYO shopping while travelling internationally. With this in mind, I cannot accept all the packaging I am forced to cart home from South Africa's biggest retailers!

Therefore, I ask you to please support this petition requesting South Africa's biggest retailers to change the game for waste. Shoprite, Spar, Pick n Pay and Woolworths: thank you for the changes we have seen you make towards a greener planet. Can you please do the following:

1. Make refilling stations available for an assortment of dry goods and liquids. 

2. Erect signs in your refilling stations, fresh produce aisles, bakeries and delis encouraging customers to bring their own packaging.

3. Sell reusable packaging. Not only general shopping bags and fresh produce bags, but also packaging to be used in your refilling stations, delis and bakeries.

4. Train your staff to encourage and assist in the zero waste movement.  

Footnote: If you have signed this petition, please act in good faith and shop BYO when possible.