The latest results clearly show that South Africa has a dynamic, growing and well-supported plastics recycling industry
Submission Date : 2019-08-22
Johannesburg,August 19, 2019.
Plastics|SA, the umbrella body representing the entire South African plastics industry, has released the plastics recycling figures for 2018. Although more can and should be done to encourage South African households to recycle,the latest results clearly show that South Africa has a dynamic, growing and well-supported plastics recycling industry.
“Despite facing major challengeslast year,the plastics industrymade important strides forward.Plastic bags manufacturers removedfillers to producebags that are fully recyclable. In addition, 100% certified recycled plastic material is now used to produce some carrier bags. This creates an end-market for recycled plastic products and helps to reduce waste to landfill. By ensuring that the products we create become part of a circular economy, we create a win-win situation for the environment and for the industry that employs 60 000 people,” explains Anton Hanekom, Executive Director at Plastics|SA.
Key findings of the 2018 Recycling Survey are:
Looking ahead:
Recommendations In order to ensure that the value of plastics is repeatedly harvested and that a sustainable, growing circular economy developed, Plastics|SA has made the following recommendations:
Designing plastic packaging and other products with recyclability in mind and gainingaccess to good quality recyclable materials before they end up in landfill, continue to be the top priorities that drive the future strategy of the plastics industry. ASouth African Initiative to End Plastic Waste in the Environment was recently established. Representatives of the plastics and packaging industries, raw material suppliers, converters, brand owners, international fast-moving consumer goods companies, recyclers and environmental organisationsaredeveloping a workable, local plan that fits the South African context and our particular environmental, socio-political and economic realities.
“Recyclables are a valuable resource and should be removed from the solid waste stream before reaching landfill where they become contaminated and extraction costly. Similarly,stakeholders have to work togetherto manufacture locally, processefficiently and manage the end-of-life products so that they benefit the consumer, the industry and the planet,” Hanekom concludes.
The Executive Summary is available on www.plasticsinfo.co.za