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Cape Town, 19 September 2024 – A state-of-the-art PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling facility, the first of its kind in Africa, is set to begin operations in 2025. This groundbreaking facility was announced at the International Solid Waste Association’s (ISWA) annual conference, where South Africa’s commitment to building a circular economy for post-consumer packaging took center stage.
The new R300 million facility, developed by South Africa’s leading producer responsibility organization, Petco, in partnership with recycling company Extrupet, will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling to the Western Cape for the first time. It will increase food-grade recycled PET (rPET) output by 15,000 tonnes annually, significantly boosting the country’s recycling capacity.
A Step Towards a Circular Economy
Extrupet Joint Managing Director, Chandru Wadhwani, highlighted the significance of the project, stating that 64% of South Africa’s PET plastic bottles are currently collected for recycling. The new facility will further enhance the country’s ability to process plastic waste.
“With this increased capacity, we will be able to accommodate more plastic waste and strengthen South Africa’s position as a circular economy leader in Africa and globally,” said Wadhwani during the ISWA conference in Cape Town.
Government’s Support for Recycling and Waste Management
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, emphasized the facility’s importance in driving higher collection and recycling rates for PET materials, noting that it will stimulate demand for PET waste, particularly from waste pickers and small businesses.
“The facility needs a reliable supply of PET materials. Waste pickers are crucial contributors to this system, and the implementation of a waste picker service fee will ensure their work is more effective,” said Swarts.
Closing the Loop on PET Recycling
Petco CEO, Cheri Scholtz, emphasized that the increased capacity will help “close the loop” on PET recycling, allowing used bottles to be continuously repurposed into new food-grade products.
“This is another tangible step toward a circular economy, where a bottle becomes a bottle over and over again, keeping that material in circulation at its highest value,” said Scholtz.
Commitment to Sustainable Waste Management
The theme of this year’s ISWA conference, “Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” aligns with South Africa’s introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. These regulations require producers to manage their packaging waste throughout its lifecycle, a policy that Petco has actively supported by working closely with the government.
Scholtz noted that Petco’s 20-year partnership with Extrupet has been instrumental in developing a solid foundation for the country’s recycling industry. Petco’s ongoing support to recycling partners encourages investment in infrastructure and equipment necessary to handle increasing volumes of recyclable packaging.
“By increasing the gate price for recyclable materials, we stimulate ground-level collection and provide waste pickers with a higher income from their work,” added Scholtz.
Climate Change Bill and Green Economy Alignment
The new facility aligns with South Africa’s climate change goals, as set out in the recently signed Climate Change Bill. This bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build climate resilience, and create new job opportunities within the green economy.
Wadhwani also highlighted Extrupet’s long-standing commitment to PET recycling, having established its first bottle-to-food-grade line in Johannesburg in 2009, with further expansions in 2014 and 2020.
“The fact that this is our fourth line in a 15-year horizon is immensely gratifying for us,” he said.
This new facility marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s efforts to transition to a sustainable, circular economy, creating jobs, reducing plastic waste, and contributing to the country’s broader climate and environmental goals.