MechChem Africa July-August 2022

⎪ Environmental management, waste and cleaning technologies ⎪

Plastics recycling growth promising With the introduction of the extended-producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, a wider industry adoption of recyclate replacing raw materials, and several voluntary agreements that promote material circularity, all eyes are on the South African plastics recycling sector, says Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco.

for recyclability when developing plastic packaging products,” says Pillay. “As we start to see the positive influence of EPR regulations, we need to continue to focus on consumer education and involve ment,” she continues. “The level of public awareness towards both the environmental and the economic benefits of recycling plas tic is increasing, but there is always room to get consumers more involved. “We have noticed that our recycling initiatives have been receiving more inter est year-on-year. An example of this is our Packa-Ching collection project, which has collected over 6.0-million kilograms of used recyclable packaging material from over 60 communities across South Africa and paid out over R5-million to people in those com munities in return for their recyclables – a segment of the population that beforehand was not likely to be recycling their plastic waste.” Packa-Ching was awarded the Eco-Logic gold award for the initiative’s success, which is clear evidence that when communities fully engage in a programme everyone is able to see effective results. “The indicators for growth in the recy cling market are evident, there is a good degree of product and packaging design innovation, better recycling infrastructure and more public interest. Our recommen dation from a public perspective is to keep waste types separate – be sure to separate your used recyclable packaging from gen eral household waste. This enables greater efficiency for the collectors and recyclers, and creates a greater likelihood of the used plastic packaging being recycled,” concludes Pillay. www.millionplusrecyclers.co.za

The Packa-Ching collection project has collected over 6.0-million kilograms of used recyclable packaging material from over 60 communities across South Africa.

W ith a 43.2% input recycling rate, according to the latest industry research, South Africa has managed to retain a stable recycling economy as compared to previous years, despite market hamper ing circumstances including COVID-19 lockdowns. With the EPR regulations and other mandatory and voluntary mecha nisms, South Africa is now looking to grow the plastic packaging recycling rate and the recyclate market altogether. “The biggest indicator for future market growth has been the increase in member ships for producer responsibility organisa tions (PROs) due to the mandatory EPR regulation requirements, as well as the renewed interest in recycling options by all social partners,” says Patricia Pillay, Chief Executive Officer at Polyco, the largest PRO for plastic packaging in South Africa. “Our membership base has grown, in the space of 10 months, from 14 polyolefin plastic-packaging converters to more than 600 member companies from across the plastics value chain.” Polyco facilitates the growth of the plas tic recycling market through education and awareness around recycling, investing in recycling infrastructure and promoting end use development for the use of recyclate instead of virgin material where possible. According to EPR regulations, PROs such as Polyco must work closely with packaging producers and brand owners to ensure that packaging is recycled post-consumer use. While EPR has in the past been a voluntary agreement in South Africa, since November

2021 it has become a prescribedmandatory regulation for all producers. In 2020, South Africa recycled 312 600 tonnes of plastics back into raw materials. Of this, 296 480 tonnes were converted into new products for the South African market, and 16 120 tonnes were exported to converters in other countries. Of the total volume of plastics that was recycled, 64% was sourced from the post-consumer stage, while the rest was sourced directly from industry with formal recyclers buy ing recyclables directly from industry and business. “A key focus for us at Polyco is collabora tion with industry, companies and organisa tions throughout the plastics recycling value chain and with government. Together we can make a difference in investing in the most effective collection methods includ ing educating consumers on separation at source, researching and sharing best prac tices on recycling solutions for all plastic material streams, and encouraging design

Left: The tables at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg are now being manufactured from recycled plastic. Right: Packa-Ching has paid over R5-million to people in communities that beforehand were not likely to recycle their plastic waste.

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