Petco’s recycling investment lifts South African buyback centres’ productivity by 30%

SOUTH AFRICA – Petco has increased productivity at two Gauteng recycling buyback centres by 20 to 30 percent through strategic infrastructure investments, part of nearly R9 million (approximately US$480,000) in equipment support for small recycling businesses over the past year.

The producer responsibility organisation, which represents member companies paying extended producer responsibility fees for packaging sold into the market, supported Flink Pik in Pretoria and InWaste Green in Johannesburg.

Tlou Sebola, Petco’s collections and training manager, explained that a conveyor system automates feeding recyclables into a baler, reducing manual labour and improving safety and efficiency.

Flink Pik: From 46 to 120 Tonnes of PET Monthly

Flink Pik has been processing paper and plastic since 2009 and engaged Petco in 2023 when it began collecting Tetra Pak liquid board packaging.

Petco provided funding for storage cages and branding, and in 2024 provided R80,000 (approximately US$4,300) for a branded trailer to extend collection areas.

The business saw its monthly polyethylene terephthalate collections grow from 46 to 120 tonnes and now collects an average of 4 tonnes of LBP monthly.

Earlier this year, Petco added a horizontal baler and infeed conveyor system at a combined investment of nearly R900,000 (approximately US$48,000).

PET processing is expected to rise by a further 40 percent, with LBP collections up 10 to 15 percent. Co-owner Henk du Preez noted that the conveyor and baling machine help with production capacity, using less rope because of heavier bales and needing less stacking space.

InWaste Green: From 50 to 60 Employees Since Pandemic

InWaste Green has received assistance from Petco since 2017, totaling R600,000 (approximately US$32,000) for branded containers and trailers, plus a truck modification for roll-on/roll-off waste cages.

These investments helped the business survive Covid-19, sustaining jobs and waste picker incomes.

The workforce has grown from 50 to 60 employees since the pandemic, now buying from 2,500 active waste pickers, a 40 percent increase from 2017. Petco sponsored a R500,000 (approximately US$26,700) conveyor system in late 2025, including site signage and 38 sets of personal protective equipment.

This is expected to lift PET processing efficiency by 25 to 30 percent and enable LBP collection for the first time.

Co-owner Miriam Moses expressed gratitude for Petco’s unwavering support of their vision.

The Bottom Line

For South Africa’s packaging and recycling industries, Petco’s investments demonstrate that targeted infrastructure support at the grassroots level delivers measurable returns.

Every piece of equipment placed in a buyback centre enables member companies’ packaging to be collected, sorted, and recycled.

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