Petco, Extrupet join forces to build South Africa’s first-of-its-kind recycling facility

SOUTH AFRICA – Petco, in partnership with recycling leader Extrupet, has unveiled plans to build a cutting-edge R300 million (US$17.05m) recycling facility in the Western Cape, marking a significant step forward for the region’s sustainability efforts.

The facility, set to be operational by 2025, will be the first of its kind in Africa. It will add an additional 15,000 tonnes per annum of food-grade recycled PET (rPET) output capacity.

This project will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling capability to the Western Cape, helping to close the loop on one of the world’s most widely recycled plastic polymers.

According to Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz, “This increase in capacity takes us a tangible step closer to a circular economy, where bottles can be recycled into new bottles repeatedly, keeping the material in circulation at its highest possible value.”

Strengthening South Africa’s circular economy

Extrupet joint managing director Chandru Wadhwani highlighted that South Africa already collects 64% of its PET plastic bottles for recycling.

The new facility will bolster this effort by accommodating more plastic waste, positioning South Africa as a leader in the circular economy in Africa and globally.

Wadhwani emphasized that this new facility builds on Extrupet’s 15-year history in bottle-to-food-grade recycling, establishing its first plant in Johannesburg in 2009.

“The fact that this is now the fourth line in a 15-year horizon is so gratifying for us,” Wadhwani said.

Boosting export-oriented industries

The new plant is also expected to impact South Africa’s export-oriented industries, particularly agriculture, positively.

Wadhwani pointed out that the Western Cape is a major fruit exporter, and under new European Union legislation, exporters must meet stringent recycling content standards.

“Our recycled PET is used in packaging like fruit punnets, and this facility will be critical for industries looking to meet international market demands,” he said.

The facility will feature world-leading Erema Vacunite technology, which produces traceable, globally certified recycled material.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, praised the facility for stimulating demand for PET materials and supporting local waste pickers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs).

“Waste pickers are an essential part of the supply chain, and this facility will create stable markets for PET, ensuring they can continue their valuable work efficiently,” Swarts noted.

Scholtz emphasized the importance of building a sustainable value chain that balances collection with recycling capacity. Petco’s long-term partnership with Extrupet, spanning over 20 years, has laid a solid foundation for these advancements.

“Petco’s support to our recycling partners has enabled them to invest in the equipment needed to handle increasing volumes of recyclable packaging,” she added.

By working with the government and supporting extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, Petco has helped meet collection and recycling targets while fostering local market growth.

The new plant aligns with South Africa’s climate change objectives, as outlined in the recently signed Climate Change Bill. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience.

“This project supports our goal of sustainable waste management and circular economy development,” Scholtz said.

The new recycling facility is a milestone for South Africa, promising to boost local recycling efforts, create jobs, and enhance the country’s position as a leader in the global green economy.

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