Skip to main content

SA PET industry hits new high with 2.15 billion bottles recycled

Written on . Posted in Archived.

65% recycling rate on par with international standards; 64 000 income-generating opportunities created.

Despite tough trading conditions and a 13% fall in the total PET market, the South African plastic industry recycled a record 2.15 billion PET plastic bottles in 2017, setting a post-consumer recycling rate of 65% to put the country on par with international standards.
The 93 235 tonnes of collected PET exceeded the industry target of 58% for the year 2017 and created 64 000 income-generating opportunities for waste pickers, collectors and recyclers, saving 578 000m3 of landfill space and 139 000 tonnes of carbon in the process.
This was announced this week by national industry body PETCO, which is responsible for fulfilling the sector’s mandate of extended producer responsibility (EPR).
PETCO said the 3% year-on-year increase in tonnage (versus 90 749 tonnes in 2016) was particularly significant against the backdrop of the political and economic instability, volatile exchange rates and industrial strike action, which had affected some of the major industry players in 2017.

According to the organisation, water shortages in the Western Cape had seen an increased consumer demand for bottled water during the latter part of the year, which grew the waste volumes available for recycling in this region.

PETCO chief executive officer Cheri Scholtz said the organisation was thrilled with the latest figures, which demonstrated both the industry’s commitment to recycling and the economic value of post-consumer PET in the circular economy.

“Through the remarkable network of people, companies and organisations we work with, 5.9 million PET bottles were collected for recycling across South Africa every day during the course of 2017, creating thousands of income-generating opportunities for small and micro-collectors, and changing their lives and those of their families in immeasurable ways.”
Scholtz said PETCO members paid a voluntary recycling fee on every tonne of raw material purchased, which funded their efforts and supported a sustainable recycling industry.
Since the organisation’s incorporation in 2004, a total of R2.3 billion has been paid by contracted recyclers to collectors for baled bottles, with a total of 609 306 tonnes of PET recycled to date. This has saved more than 900 000 tonnes of carbon and almost four million cubic metres of landfill space.

PETCO chairman Casper Durandt, who is also head of technical for Coca-Cola’s South African franchise, said the organisation’s accomplishment could not have been achieved without its dedicated partners.
“They have made extraordinary contributions to the recycling of post-consumer PET in South Africa, thereby enabling PETCO to expand our collection network, build relationships with recyclers, seek new opportunities to develop and support entrepreneurs, and ultimately grow our recycling tonnages.”

Media release courtesy of PETCO on 15 May 2018.  www.petco.co.za

PETCO release_SA PET industry hits new high with 2.15 billion bottles recycled (B2B-focus)_May 2018_FINAL

PETCO Award winners:-

  1. PUBLIC CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

Winners:

  1. a) Quinette Goosen, The Uitenhage Recycling Mula Swop-Shop Project (Eastern Cape): https://youtu.be/xBh9LrIhM9Q
  2. b) Ian Dommisse, EcoBrick Exchange (Western Cape): https://youtu.be/jiDZqaOwV9E

 

  1. RECYCLED PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Winner: Flip Greeff, Shoprite Checkers (Western Cape): https://youtu.be/pgPiO979tbw

 

  1. PET-TREPRENEUR

Winners:

  1. a) Sibonile Mvambo, Abelusi Nabavuni Ngemvelo Cooperative (Eastern Cape): https://youtu.be/d9uy_XT_ktE
  2. b) Nick Pienaar, Bonke Abantu (Mpumalanga): https://youtu.be/Ifb-DH3e8xU

 

  1. LOCAL AUTHORITY RECYCLING INNOVATION

Winner: Masupatsela Cooperative, with Ekurhuleni Municipality (Gauteng): https://youtu.be/0V2a6U2S6Z0

 

  1. RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP GAMECHANGER

Winner: Tembisa Self-Help Association of the Disabled t/a TSHAD and PETCO (Gauteng): https://youtu.be/X0RyCsJD9qo

 

  1. RECYCLING INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

Winner: Kaytech (Western Cape): https://youtu.be/1dm-5dvq1xo

 

  1. TOP WOMAN IN RECYCLING

Winner: Frieda Willemse, D+F Sales & Services (Gauteng): https://youtu.be/DT-CXtQ5elU

 

  1. RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION WARRIOR

Winners:

  1. a) Abram Tlhoriso Tumaeletsi, Ikageng Ditamating – Vaalpark Recycling Project (Free State): https://youtu.be/PrmW4z6UgyE
  2. b) Jack Magongo, Timele Greening Project   (Mpumalanga): https://youtu.be/HA9BROdOodM

 

  1. BEST DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTING RECYCLING

Winner: Regenize recycling Collections (Western Cape): https://youtu.be/I2cnDU2beV8

 

  1. MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Winner: Marli Meyer, features writer with Fairlady Magazine (Western Cape): https://youtu.be/OoBKWHmcZiI