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BusinessDay www.businessday.co.za Friday 15 September 2023
INSIGHTS
NATIONAL CLEAN-UP & RECYCLE SA WEEK 2023
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Producers urged to commit to sustainability
•inforRemcyactilonability empowers consumers to make better choices, writes Lynette Dicey
I
n a world increasingly aware of the environmental impact of our choices, consumers are beginning to pay more attention to the sustainability of product packaging, requiring that the product they purchase — including its packaging — aligns with their eco-friendly values. This shift in consumer behaviour, says Edith Leeuta, CEO of Fibre Circle, underscores the importance of testing and knowing the recyclability of product packaging and why businesses should make this information readily available. Fibre Circle is a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) responsible for keeping
Edith Leeuta … accountability. paper and paper packaging — which are renewable and recyclable products — out of SA’s landfills. “When individuals are aware of the recyclability of packaging, they can make choices that reduce waste and minimise their carbon footprint.” Recyclability information, she says, empowers consumers to make environmentally responsible choices, allowing them to differentiate between products with packaging that can be collected and recycled and those that contribute to landfill waste. Armed with this
knowledge, consumers can opt for products that align with their commitment to sustainability, ultimately encouraging businesses to adopt more eco-friendly practices and packaging designs. “For businesses and brands, providing recyclability information and ensuring their packaging is easy to recycle is no longer an option but a necessity,” she says, explaining there are several compelling reasons for companies to take this matter seriously. “The implementation of extended producer responsibility regulations represents a significant stride toward fostering a circular economy. These regulations are designed to compel producers to assume accountability for their products’ entire life cycle, from production to the management of post-consumer waste. By taking measures such as providing recyclability details and adopting environmentally friendly packaging, businesses can remain proactive in addressing potential legal obligations.” In addition to regulations,
she says being transparent about the recyclability of packaging demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and can enhance a company’s reputation. Another compelling reason for businesses to take this issue seriously is the cost savings it’s possible to achieve. “Adopting sustainable packaging practices has, in many instances, led to cost savings, especially in the long run. Reducing material usage and streamlined recycling processes can result in lower operational expenses. Manufacturers must, however, keep in mind the likelihood of collection of these postconsumer products.” Consumer demand is yet another good reason. Leeuta says it is expected there will be continued growth in consumer awareness about sustainability. “Businesses that meet these demands should, in the long term, gain a competitive edge because customers are more likely to support and remain loyal to brands that share their values,” she says. One of Fibre Circle’s goals is to assist producers in the sector
with establishing a recyclability testing service as well as harmonised environmental labelling for their products in alignment with the obligations of the extended producer responsibility regulations. “Recyclability testing — which aims to predict if a package can be converted to usable fibre at paper mills
without causing any operational problems — provides the necessary guidance for producers to improve their products,” she says. “At the same time, it empowers consumers with information. Consumers deserve to know if the product they buy is recyclable, if it is likely to be recycled where they live, if it is
a single-use item or not, what the green alternatives are, if it was locally produced, if it was sustainably sourced and produced and how to dispose of it safely.” Fibre Circle helps the packaging industry to meet regulatory requirements by fostering a collective commitment to environmental stewardship, she adds. “By collaborating with packaging producers, Fibre Circle encourages the design and production of packaging that aligns with the principles of easy collection, sorting, processing and transformation into new products,” says Leeuta. “We actively encourage the adoption of packaging solutions that are not only easy to collect but simple to sort and process.” By championing these principles, she says, Fibre Circle fosters a circular economy model, where paper and paper packaging are seamlessly transformed into new products, reducing waste and minimising environmental impact. “This multifaceted approach underscores Fibre Circle’s instrumental role in steering
SA’s packaging industry towards a more sustainable and responsible future.” Leeuta says knowing the recyclability of product packaging is critically important given that it empowers consumers to make environmentally conscious choices while pushing businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.
GUIDELINES
Given that SA exports some of its packaging, manufacturers need to align their recycling methods with international standards. Leeuta says that Fibre Circle follows the guidelines established by the 4evergreen alliance for labscale recyclability testing. “Providing clear and accessible information about recyclability is not only a moral obligation but also a smart business strategy in today’s environmentally conscious marketplace. As we navigate the path towards a greener future, transparency and sustainability in packaging will be key drivers of success for both consumers and businesses alike.”
Initiatives to promote responsible plastic use
TODAY’S MEMO: DO YOUR PART WHILE DOING YOUR JOB, EASY!
TAKE THE WORK OUT OF RECYCLING TAKE THE RECYCLING OUT AT WORK Be one of the #MillionPlusRecyclers and watch how easy it can be at www.millionplusrecyclers.co.za
Mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) was introduced in SA in 2021. The focus of the legislation is on developing circular economies so that the value of used packaging is never lost but rather kept within the economy by ensuring that materials are diverted from landfill to be reused and recycled into new and useful materials. The EPR regulations aim to extend the responsibility of producers of identified products such as packaging, both financially and physically, to the management of packaging at end of life. All producers, converters and brand owners who manufacture or generate plastic packaging and place more than 10 tonnes in the local market are required to manage or to be members of an EPR scheme. Producer responsibility organisations (PROs) within the sector have developed EPR schemes that focus on the diversion of identified products from landfill by increasing collection rates and growing recycling volumes. PROs that manage these schemes are funded directly by the producers via the implementation of a mandatory EPR fee. Government has set strict targets for yearly collection and recycling that need to be met. Polyco PRO NPC is a registered PRO that manages an EPR scheme focused on plastic packaging in SA. “Implementing successful EPR requires change to take place across the value chain, from packaging design all the way through to consumer behaviour change,” explains Polyco CEO Patricia Pillay. “To grow the collection and recycling of plastic packaging to the extent that it meets the legislated targets and to promote the responsible use and reuse of this plastic packaging, we recognise the strong need to collaborate with multiple stakeholders across the value chain, to invest in recycling innovation and recycling infrastructure, and to educate both the industry and consumers about recycling.” Since its inception in 2011, Polyco has invested more than R115m into the formal and informal plastic packaging industry, achieving a capacity
growth of more than 280,000 tonnes through 114 project partners during this time. Polyco invests in three different project divisions: large infrastructure projects that increase plastic recycling in SA and increase innovation in the industry by expanding and/or modernising companies’ production capacities; its flagship collection programme, Packa-Ching, an initiative which provides funding to waste collection companies to provide services to areas that don’t have waste management services; and enterprise development projects, investing in and supporting smaller businesses — including start-ups, community projects and individuals entering the plastic recycling space. Polyco’s enterprise development funding offer companies the opportunity to access training programmes around compliance, regulatory obligations, how to improve operational efficiencies, emerging recycling technologies and best practices. In 2022, Polyco invested R22.1m directly into project investments, funding 15 companies and increasing the collection and recycling capacity of 10,500 tonnes. Pillay reveals that by the end of July 2023, Polyco had invested an additional R34m directly into project investments this year. “We also support recycling companies by providing funding for energy solutions to help combat the negative effects of load-shedding and we have instituted a recycling incentive per tonne of recyclate produced and sold,” she says. EPR schemes are required to compensate registered waste collectors, reclaimers or pickers for collection services and environmental benefit through a waste picker collection service fee. Polyco has agreed this fee with the PRO Alliance and waste reclaimers organisations.
“Once the waste reclaimer fee was agreed, Polyco established a pilot payment process to ensure waste reclaimers registered on the national registration database are paid. This year we have broadened our pilot to register waste reclaimers who trade with Packa-Ching units.” Polyco also provides education and conducts awareness initiatives aimed at both industry and consumers. Among its key focus areas is educating school children about plastic recycling in SA. “We’ve launched 17 PackaChing units to date, educating communities across SA about the value of recycling. Recognising the positive impact this has had on communities, Packa-Ching was awarded the esteemed Conscientious Spirit Award at WasteCon in 2022. “Our schools educational material reaches pupils all the way from early childhood development centres to primary and high schools, reaching more than 2-million pupils so far in 2023. In 2022, we distributed recycling bins to 80 schools across the country, using recycled plastic waste to create the bins,” she says. Last year, Polyco’s Million+ recycling campaign received more than 250,000 views. This month, Polyco is launching its latest consumer-facing campaign through its Million Plus initiative in an effort to encourage workplaces across the country to recycle more. Polyco’s Million+ introduced the “Return The Favour. Recycle Your Plastics” campaign last year which used the country’s youth to show adults how easy it is to recycle at home. Now, Polyco is bringing those same children back to show everyone an easier way to join the recycling workforce, by recycling at work. These new videos can be found at millionplusrecyclers.co.za.