CNN —While other artists might use watercolors or oil paints, Mbongeni Buthelezi uses waste plastics to create highly textured portraits at his studio in Booysens, Johannesburg. He explained that plastic litter was so common in grazing areas that it became an unwelcome part of the cows’ regular diet. In 2018, 107,000 metric tons of plastic waste from South Africa ended up in the marine environment. With plastic waste growing around the world, Buthelezi is using his work to both highlight and combat the issue. Buthelezi uses plastic litter to create artworks depicting life in South Africa.

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Persons: ” Buthelezi, ”, Buthelezi, “, “ I’m, what’s “, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Black, African Institute of Art, Johannesburg Art Foundation, Fine Arts, University of, African National Science and Technology Locations: Booysens, Johannesburg, KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa, Soweto, Witwatersrand, Germany, USA, Barbados, Egypt, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi