Planet Sound Entertainment Cloud South African Polyco-2025

 

[PDF] South Africa's 

As a proactive response to the growing concern around waste and its impact on society and the environment, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) published the final section 18 EPR regulations for the paper and packaging industry, electrical and electronic industry and lighting industry in Government Gazette 44539 on 5 May 2021. This new legislation officially came into effect on 5 November 2021 and legally mandates producers to demonstrate their extended producer responsibilty by achieving published legislated targets. This can be done by either joining an existing PRO or by forming a new, independent PRO or EPR scheme that manages products at end of life. Instead of supporting the outdated linear approach of producing, using and discarding valuable materials such as plastic, paper, glass and metals, the focus is now on developing circular economies within South Africa – where the value of used packaging is never lost, but is kept within the economy by ensuring that these materials are diverted from landfill to be reused and recycled into many new and useful materials. The EPR regulations seek to extend the responsibility of producers of identified products (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 South African market are required to be members of an EPR scheme. PROs within the sector have therefore developed EPR schemes that focus on the diversion of plastic packaging from landfill by increasing collection rates and growing recycling volumes in South Africa. PROs that manage these schemes are funded directly by the producers via the implementation of the mandatory EPR fee. The most challenging aspect is the change that is required to take place across the value chain, from packaging design to consumer behaviour change. Therefore, Polyco’s EPR scheme aims to stimulate the economy; focus on both urban and rural areas of South Africa; include transformation in our investment strategy; and represent the interest of the full value chain, including brand owners, packaging converters, retailers, informal and formal collectors, recyclers and consumers. In order to grow the collection and recycling of plastic packaging in South Africa 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 in South Africa, and to educate both the industry and the consumer about recycling. Polyco is a PRO that has implemented and operated a voluntary scheme responsible for polyolefins since 2011. Growth of an Industry: The Introduction of Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility in South Africa POLYCO’S FOCUS AREAS ARE THEREFORE This all needs to be underpinned by a philosophy of collaboration – to understand and work with all stakeholders along the plastic recycling value chain. Supporting existing and encouraging new collection and recycling networks, by investing in recycling infrastructure and development. Undertaking research and developing valuechain projects to stimulate innovation and end-use demand for recyclate; and Providing information that promotes education and awareness in order to change recycling behaviour. In 2021, Polyco merged with the Polystyrene Association of South Africa and VinylLoop and developed an EPR scheme for all plastic-packaging materials under mandatory EPR. Polyco’s decade-long track record of successfully growing polyolefin recycling in South Africa, as well as our new commitment to represent all packaging types, saw our membership base grow from 14 member organisations to more than 600 member organisations, making us the largest plastics PRO in South Africa. These developments are an exciting time for South Africa and the Polyco team is working to achieve legislated targets and requirements in the short term while maintaining a sustainable long-term strategic vision for the industry. We look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to grow South Africa’s