SOUTH AFRICA – The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) has been successfully registered as a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).
As a PRO, CGCSA now has the framework within which it will play a socially responsible role by involving its members, local communities, and other stakeholders to promote waste reduction and recycling.
Through the PRO, the organization will coordinate waste and recycling initiatives by its member companies through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation which is being implemented in terms of Section 18 of the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008, to reduce the environmental impact of waste materials.
The EPR regulation covers all packaging and identified products that will need to be collected in an organized manner, to meet the regulated recycling targets.
The CGCSA PRO is registered in three categories: paper and packaging, lighting, and electronic equipment.
“Through the PRO, we will also promote the growth of the circular economy and create jobs in the informal sector, with a special focus on the youth and women,” said the company in a statement.
“We will collaborate with our members and other stakeholders, to share best practices and influence waste management regulations. This will position us as leaders to foster innovation in waste management practices in South Africa, therefore enhancing the brand image of our industry.”
CGCSA PRO joins other PROs to help manage about 2.4 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in South Africa.
Out of this, just 14% is recycled, and on average, every citizen leaks at least 1.4kg of plastic to the environment every year.
Meanwhile, in 2022, PETCO members placed 121,369 tonnes of packaging on the South African market, mainly comprising PET beverage bottles, home and personal care bottles, edible oil bottles, food bottles and jars.
It also included their associated labels, closures and minor volumes of PET strapping, shrink sleeves and thermoforms.
Of this volume, 69%, or 83,967 tonnes of post-consumer packaging, was collected for recycling, with a total recycling rate of 66% achieved.
The recycling rates come one year after the promulgation of the Section 18 amendment to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act.
Outlining now-mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR), the regulations require packaging producers – brand owners, retailers and importers – to comply with stipulated annual targets for the improved design, collection and recycling of post-consumer product packaging in a bid to move the country towards a more circular economy.
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