World Environment Day 2025, observed globally on 5 June, is a wake-up call — and not just for environmentalists. This year’s theme, plastic pollution, hits close to home for South African businesses and communities alike. With over 400 million tonnes of plastic produced globally each year — and less than 10% recycled — the plastic crisis is both a business risk and a business opportunity.
At ASK Group, we believe that strategic communication and corporate sustainability are not only smart — they’re necessary. And in a country like South Africa, where waste management systems are stretched, corporate responsibility has never mattered more.
Let’s break it down.
The business case for beating plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is more than a “green issue”, it is a serious threat and presently impacts:
- Health: Microplastics are now found in food, drinking water and even the air we breathe. Studies have detected them in human bloodstreams.
- Brand Reputation: South African consumers are increasingly eco-conscious. Brands ignoring sustainability risk being left behind.
- Compliance: New laws are catching up. In South Africa, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations mean producers must take responsibility for packaging waste.
- Profitability: Waste is inefficient. Reducing plastic use and improving waste systems can reduce costs and open up circular economy opportunities.
And the stats themselves speak volumes, for example:
- SA generates approximately 2.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only 14% recycled (WWF-SA, 2023).
- Over 90% of all waste in Sub-Saharan Africa is mismanaged or dumped — largely due to inadequate infrastructure (UNEP, 2024).
- The informal waste sector, including reclaimers, plays a crucial but under-supported role — recovering an estimated 80-90% of post-consumer packaging waste.
But what can we actually do about it, you may be asking? Well, like with many things, if we work together, start small and think big, we can address the crisis. But we must start. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or individual professional, by immediately taking responsibility for your direct and indirect impact, you have the power to shift the needle.
Here are five ways you can take action today:
- Audit your plastic footprint: Start by asking, where does plastic enter and exit your operations. Identify unnecessary usage. Research what others are doing in your sector and benchmark your performance against practical results.
- Rethink procurement: Choose suppliers with clear plastic reduction policies or packaging take-back programmes.
- Communicate transparently: If you’re working on sustainability — tell your story. Shareholders must know, customers and employees want to know, suppliers can be held accountable, and other corporates can learn from you and follow your lead.
- Empower your team: Encourage employee participation through well-coordinated clean-up days, eco challenges, or lunch-and-learn sessions.
- Join forces with government and community stakeholders: Collaborate with NPOs, municipalities and informal reclaimers. Real impact needs everyone on board.
Register to volunteer with the ASK Foundation
Through the ASK Foundation, our firm supports real, hands-on environmental action. From organising coastal and inner-city clean-ups to raising awareness about sustainable habits in schools and communities, we provide platforms for employees, clients and the public to get involved.
- Our recent clean-up drives collectively removed over 6 tonnes of waste from coastal sites, much of it single-use plastic.
- Wherever possible, we work with local reclaimers and recyclers to ensure collected materials are properly processed, not dumped.
Want to get your team involved in one of our upcoming clean-ups? Register and well connect you with clean-ups in your city. At ASK, we arrange the gloves, the gear and the guidance. All you need to bring is the energy.
Bottom Line: Sustainability is Strategy
World Environment Day isn’t a one-off — it’s a reminder of what matters most. If you want your brand to stand the test of time, beating plastic pollution must be part of your strategy.
At ASK Group, we help businesses align their brand, values, and environmental impact. From ESG storytelling to sustainability strategy, we’ve got the tools and the team to help you do business better. #JustASK #WorldEnvironmentDay #BeatPlasticPollution
Words by Candy Tothill Kruger for the Just ASK Blog
