Tonight on The Weird and Wonderful we recognise International Plastics Free Day. Plastic, once celebrated as a groundbreaking innovation for its convenience and versatility, has evolved into a major environmental challenge. In South Africa, over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, but only a small portion is recycled; the rest pollutes lakes, rivers, and oceans, this is according to the World Wide Fund (WWF). Tonight we will dive into the history of plastic, tracing its journey from a miracle material to a global menace. And also explore practical ways to reduce plastic pollution in our communities. Joining me for this discussion is Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in Systems Thinking & Future Studies at Stellenbosch Business School