P OLY MERS
Plastic fantastic?
T
here is a big sentiment that plastic does not belong in the environment, says Safripol CEO Nico van Niekerk. “As a polymer producer, we agree wholeheartedly. Yes, there is a problem. Yes, we all need to take action immediately and consistently. But plastic isn’t the problem; pollution, littering and dumping are the problem. That is where the focus of the ‘war on plastic’ should lie.” Anton Hanekom, executive director of Plastics SA, says that for the past five years the industry has been focusing its efforts on developing circular economies within South Africa. “In a circular economy, there is no waste. When a person has finished with something, it becomes the raw material for something else.”
We’ve adapted our soft POLYMERS AREN’T JUST FOR drinks to local palates PLASTIC PACKAGING In South plastics packaging and tasteAfrica, preferences.” 49TWIZZA per cent of the – accounts LISLE CLARK,forCEO,
local market followed by building and construction at 13 per cent and agriculture at 10 per cent. Textiles in the form of synthetics such as polyester consume 47 million tonnes of plastics annually. Consumer and institutional products that encompass everyday goods such as bins, input for appliances such as laptops and TVs, furniture and so forth utilise 42 million tonnes of plastic while transportation consumes 27 million tonnes. Electronics, largely in the form of insulation for electric wires, consume 18 million tonnes, and industrial machinery uses 3 million tonnes. Source: Plastics SA
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RESPONSIBLE PLASTIC
DID YOU KNOW?
Safripol splits plastics into two categories: 503 600 tonnes of plastics waste responsible and irresponsible plastic. The (45.7 per cent of all the plastic produced former is any plastic that is used, handled and in South Africa) was collected for managed responsibly, leading to repurposing, recycling in 2019. Of this, more than reuse, recycling or the correct and safe half (362 800 tonnes) was packaging. disposal. The latter is that which is not used, Source: Plastics SA handled or managed responsibly, leading to overpackaging, a lack of recycling, and bioplastics are not just one single material, dumping and pollution. “For some time now, but comprise a whole family of materials with we have been disinvesting in partnerships and different properties and applications. “A plastic products that we feel are damaging material is defined as a bioplastic if it is to the environment, have a either bio-based, biodegradable, better alternative, or are or features both properties,” he unnecessary,” says says. “Bio-based polymers Van Niekerk. are similar to petro-based In 2019, 1 842 745 tonnes Safripol views the polymers except the of polymer (locally pressure to make monomeric units are produced, imported and the plastics industry derived from plant-based recycled) was converted more sustainable and materials, rather than into plastics products – environmentally friendly fossil fuels.” 18 per cent of these locally as an opportunity rather Van Niekerk believes converted polymers came than a challenge. “The the term is misunderstood from recycled material. whole industry is taking in South Africa, and many Source: Plastics SA ‘responsible plastic’ very different types of plastics are seriously,” says Van Niekerk, incorrectly bundled under the “from the initial design of products “biodegradable” banner. “If those to individual commitments to reduce, plastics were properly repurposed, recycle and reuse. Plastic is one of the most reused, recycled or disposed of correctly, they recyclable materials and plastic waste has wouldn’t end up in landfills and the environment a value. Collected and recycled, plastic can in the first place. We should be talking about create employment biopolymers as opposed to biodegrading.” and stimulate Safripol believes there is going to be the economy.” substantial growth in recycling and innovative projects to reduce plastic in design and reuse and repurpose plastic waste into BIO BUGBEARS new products. “We also believe people will Regarding growing start taking greater responsibility for recycling calls for the use of at home and that there will be a reduction in more biodegradable litter, pollution and dumping – that’s what plastics in the Nico we all want for the environment,” says industry, Hanekom van Niekerk Van Niekerk. explains that
FAST FACT
“PLASTIC IS ONE OF THE MOST RECYCLABLE MATERIALS AND PLASTIC WASTE HAS A VALUE. COLLECTED AND RECYCLED, PLASTIC CAN CREATE EMPLOYMENT AND STIMULATE THE ECONOMY.” – NICO VAN NIEKERK, CEO, SAFRIPOL
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Globally, countries are declaring war on plastic. What does that mean for the polymer industry? TREVOR CRIGHTON investigates
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