Leadership change: Telly Chauke appointed CEO of Petco

SOUTH AFRICA – Telly Chauke has officially assumed the role of CEO at Petco, the producer responsibility and recycling organization, effective January 1.

Chauke’s appointment follows a planned leadership transition from Cheri Scholtz, the organization’s former CEO, who led it for nearly two decades.

Chauke, an experienced sustainability expert, joined Petco in September as CEO-designate, marking the beginning of a strategic handover.

As the former Chief Sustainability Officer at the Coega Development Corporation, Chauke has a rich history in environmental policy and climate change, having previously served as a specialist in sustainability policies for the South African Local Government Association for ten years.

“We are thrilled to welcome someone of Telly’s calibre to lead Petco,” said Scholtz. “Her extensive experience navigating the public policy landscape, combined with her climate and environmental scientist expertise, brings a unique skill set to this role.”

Scholtz, who led Petco from its inception in 2004, played a crucial role in establishing the organization as a leading industry-driven initiative for collecting and recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in South Africa.

Under her leadership, Petco exceeded its medium-term goal of recycling 50% of post-consumer PET beverage bottles by 2015. Additionally, the organization saw its recycling collection grow by over 600%, from 10,000 tons annually to more than 90,000 tons.

In recent years, Petco has continued to excel, surpassing 98% of legislated recycling targets set by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment for PET products by volume.

In 2023, Petco achieved a 64% collection rate and exceeded the 58% recycling rate target for post-consumer PET beverage bottles, reaching 60%.

Scholtz also highlighted the successful inclusion of liquid board packaging (LBP) in Petco’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) program, noting the significant milestone as evidence that the Petco model can extend beyond PET.

The organization met 80% of its legislated recycling targets for LBP in 2023, with full compliance expected in 2024.

As Chauke takes the helm, she looks forward to strengthening the relationships between industry, government, and consumers, which are critical to the success of EPR initiatives.

“I am committed to maintaining these key relationships for the benefit of our members and recycling partners,” said Chauke.

“With my background in governance and sustainability, I understand the importance of compliance and its broader environmental, social, and governance implications.”

Petco’s chairperson, Greg Morse, expressed confidence in Chauke’s ability to lead Petco into its next phase of mandatory EPR compliance.

“We are grateful for Cheri’s leadership and are assured of Telly’s competence to carry Petco’s legacy forward,” he said.

As Petco moves forward under Chauke’s leadership, the organization is poised to continue its mission of driving environmental responsibility and achieving impactful recycling targets for South Africa.

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