Today, Earth Day will be celebrated around the world shining a spotlight on the harmful impact of plastic pollution on our environment.
Polyco is proud to announce on Earth Day that, since its inception in 2019 its Packa-Ching programme has achieved a 20 million kilogram collection and recycling milestone, with over R20 million paid to local communities to support individuals, families and local businesses.
This is 20 million kilograms of plastic that would have otherwise ended up in the environment – enough to fill over 3 500 shipping containers which, if placed end-to-end, would stretch for 21 kilometres.
“We are thrilled to have achieved the 20 million recycling and pay-out milestone this Earth Day. It takes us a step closer to the creation of a circular economy in which our members’ plastic products become a valuable resource for communities, said Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco.
Polyco’s announcement comes as 175 countries, including South Africa, begin negotiating a United Nations Treaty to end Plastic Pollution, which is expected to be finalised before the end of 2024. Initial drafts of the Treaty have highlighted the critical importance of improving recycling rates and enforcing the ‘polluter pays’ principle. This can be done through the establishment of extender producer responsibility (EPR) programmes that oblige producers to take responsibility for the end-of-life impact of their products.
As a registered Producer Policy Organisation (PRO) under national government’s EPR programme, Polyco is working with its 650+ member organisations to end plastic waste in South Africa (For a full list of compliant members, please visit Polyco’s website on www.polyco.co.za). Over the past 13 years, Polyco has added over 300 000 tonnes of additional recycling capacity growth in the sector, with this plastic packaging otherwise ending up in landfills.
Most importantly, Polyco has focused on turning plastic waste into economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Its Packa-Ching programme focuses on creating recycling facilities in areas without any separation at source infrastructure and paying community members for the plastic and other recyclable waste they drop-off.
So far, 26 Pack-Ching units have been established across the country where community members, in particular waste pickers, are paid for the recyclable packaging material (such as plastics, glass, metal and board) they collect and drop off at these facilities. This creates a win-win situation for waste pickers who are able to earn an income while recyclable plastics are diverted from already full municipal landfills.
“We will continue to expand our Packa-Ching programme with new buy-back centres opening over the next few months, including the opening of a mobile lite unit in Mkhunzangwe in Khayelitsha, Cape Town today and a new static facility opening in Ndanstane in the Buffalo City Municipality on the 8th of May” said Pillay.
To achieve Polyco’s goal of eliminating plastic waste across the country, key partnerships are required with government to ensure there is the ongoing investment in recycling infrastructure and services in under-resourced areas, which also creates critical income streams for these communities. Polyco remains committed to continue working with its members, government and other stakeholders to develop the country’s recycling capacity though innovation, education and financial support so we can end plastic waste while developing local economies and creating jobs.