Pretoria on MyPR: Tshwane Classic goes green:
Mpact Recycling will be on hand to recycle the thousands of paper cups that will be used at the Tshwane Classic in Pretoria on November 5. Photo: Supplied
In a bid to ensure the green effect is high on their priority list, organisers of the Tshwane Classic have joined forces with South Africa’s largest paper recycler for the road race in Pretoria on November 5.
Mpact Recycling, who form part of the Johannesburg-based paper and plastic packaging business Mpact Limited, will be throwing their support behind next month’s cycling festival in the capital.
Mpact business development officer Roland Thompson said they came on board after discussions with race spokesman Mauritz Meyer, who is working on the event with ASG Events.
“We want to use this opportunity to create awareness of our ability to recycle paper cups used in the race,” said Thompson, who added this was the only cycling race in which they were involved.
“In addition we wish to engage with the consumers of Tshwane, who are part of our household collection programme.”
He said the company annually recycled 450 000 tonnes of paper, which is the equivalent of filling 552 Olympic swimming pools.
“All this paper is used in the manufacture of recycle-based paper and packaging, which reduces the reliance on virgin fibre,” said Thompson.
“We seek to divert material from landfill, create jobs and ensure a sustainable packaging and recycling industry.”
Mpact will be providing receptacles at all water points and Thompson said they encouraged cyclists to do their best to deposit their cups into the bins.
“We wish the cyclists a safe race and encourage them to maintain hydration,” he added.
ASG Events operations manager Darren Herbst said they needed to comply with certain regulations in hosting races of this nature.
“The main issue is that we have to make sure that the areas surrounding the water points are all cleaned up after the cyclists have been through,” he said.
“For this we employ a team of workers from the local community to assist us in clearing the debris.”
He added that they were also required to use environmentally friendly material in providing sustenance for the cyclists.
“That is why we have done away with those plastic packets and will be using cups at the Tshwane Classic, which will all be collected for recycling purposes.”
The 98km feature race, which will feature full road closure, will pass a selection of the city’s most recognised landmarks.
The shorter option is over 60km, with both events, as well as a selection of races aimed at children, starting and finishing at the Voortrekker Monument.
Go to www.tshwaneclassic.co.za for more information.
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