ASEZ WAO Plastic-Free Seminar in Cape Town

Origin of Plastic Pollution and the Effect

How did plastic, which was once hailed as the “miracle of the 20th century” for its ease in production and versatility in use, turn into a threat for our planet, animals and mankind alike?

Plastic has become deeply embedded in our daily lives mainly because of its light weight, ease of processing, and potential for mass production. Despite plastics being such an indispensable material in modern industrial society, its effects are immense. It takes five seconds to make plastic, five minutes to use it, but takes more than 500 years to decompose.

Despite all the warning signs and harmful effects of plastic, the world still produces around 360 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. Of this 360 million tonnes of waste, between 19 million and 23 million tonnes ends up in the oceans according to UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme). That is equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks’ worth of plastic waste dumped into the world’s seas, rivers, and lakes every single day.

As a result, marine animals and birds can not help but become entangled in it or ingest floating plastic debris mistaking it for food, ultimately leading to injury or death. WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) estimates that more than 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic-related complications.

Not only is marine life in direct danger from plastic, but we too can not escape the dangers of plastic. Since our drinking water, salt and seafood is in contact with so much waste, we are in danger of ingesting microplastics.

Plastic has now turned its convenience into chaos and uncontrollable pollution, endangering the earth for future generations. This type of pollution is now a global issue we can no longer afford to ignore.

Leaders Gather in Cape Town to Discuss Solutions

To make efforts to combat this global crisis, the ASEZ WAO Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group of the World Mission Society Church of God held the 2040 Plastic-Free Forum at the Culture and Innovation Room, Western Cape Provincial Parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa on July 28, 2025.

Aimed at eradicating plastic pollution by 2040, the forum gathered leaders from government officials, chief executive officers, and civil society.

ASEZ WAO presented a comprehensive, three-step approach, which includes, “Plastic-Free Talk, Plastic-Free Act and Plastic-Free Partnership” aimed at urging a deeper transformation and decisive plan to tackle the current plastic crisis the global community is facing.

The young adult volunteer group made a firm resolution, to carry out the plastic-free campaign with the goal of eliminating plastic pollution by the year 2040.

Experts and Guests Weigh In

During the opening speech, Ezra Baek, [Chairman of the ASEZ WAO South Africa foundation], remarked, “We are the last hope for the  generations to come that can stop the current climate crisis, and the first generation that can create a turning point of hope.”

He continued, “Slogans are great but we must make an effort to go beyond words. Our goal is to find solutions that we can put into action and action that brings about changes in mindset, behavior, policy, and institutions. I hope this forum becomes the starting point for combining knowledge with action, and collaboration with solidarity.”

Saliem Haider, Director of Waste Management from the Western Cape Government highlighted the following, “The challenges of waste in general are immense. We have a current problem that needs to be addressed and incorporate the social solutions as well.”

“Can we apply single-use plastic bans? A shift of mindset is needed, but the elephant needs to be eaten bit by bit. Collaboration by all is required to solve this global issue”

Abraham Avenant, CEO of the Construction Resource Development Centre of South Africa (CRDC), expressed the admiration he saw in the ASEZ WAO volunteers members stating, “I was truly amazed by the ASEZ WAO’s impactful work. Their efforts are an example to all the people of the world. I hope they continue to make significant contributions to society and I hope to collaborate with them so we may all work together to save the earth.”

Local organisation stakeholders and government officials who attended the ASEZ WAO’s Plastic-Free Seminar were genuinely moved by the unity in action displayed by the ASEZ WAO members across the 175 countries displayed through a short video.

Professor Catherina Schenck, Chair in Waste and Society at University of the Western Cape, was struck by the proactive stance that young people of ASEZ WAO have taken to protect the environment and ensure preservation for future generations.

“Many individuals express concern about environmental issues, however translating this concern to tangible action has proved to be a challenge for many due to many barriers and discomforts, but not for ASEZ WAO”, said Professor Schenck.