Pick n Pay Liquor champions circular economy with recycled juice pack wine box stands

SOUTH AFRICA – Pick n Pay Liquor has partnered with Ocean Plastic Technologies to introduce innovative wine box holder stands made from 4,420kgs of reclaimed tetra juice packs, the equivalent of approximately 500,000 one-liter packs.

Now installed in over 100 Pick n Pay Liquor stores, these eco-friendly stands help customers easily find free, empty wine boxes. Each box can safely carry up to six bottles, offering a practical alternative to plastic bags.

“These wine box holders not only improve convenience but also support our mission to reduce single-use plastic,” says Gavin Ievers, Head of Liquor at Pick n Pay. “It’s a smart solution that benefits both the customer and the planet.”

The project utilizes micro-recycling technology at a multi-layer recycling plant operated by Ocean Plastic Technologies.

This advanced process transforms previously hard-to-recycle materials into high-quality stock feed, which is then used to create durable products like the new wine stands.

“The wine box stand is a perfect example of how Pick n Pay is rethinking waste,” adds Oliver Nudds, Founder and CEO of Ocean Plastic Technologies.

“By transforming landfill-bound materials into sustainable, functional items, we’re giving them a second life and helping Pick n Pay shrink its environmental footprint.”

Pick n Pay’s sustainability drive goes beyond packaging. In 2024, the retailer successfully diverted 56% of its general waste from landfills, and it aims to further improve its environmental performance.

The wine box stand initiative forms part of a broader strategy to promote recycling, reuse, and responsible consumption.

“Reducing waste and promoting reuse are central to our ESG strategy,” says Vaughan Pierce, Head of ESG at Pick n Pay.

“These recycled stands are another tangible step forward. We’re committed to partnerships that generate real, immediate environmental benefits for customers and the communities we serve.”

This initiative follows another sustainability milestone: the rollout of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) across stores in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.

First piloted in 2018, the program incentivizes recycling by offering digital cash and vouchers in exchange for recyclable items with barcodes.

With support from Polyco, a South African plastic packaging recycling organization, Pick n Pay has already deployed 10 machines and plans to introduce approximately 20 more by mid-year. The program has engaged over 22,000 users, collected nearly 280,000 units, and delivered payouts exceeding R5,800 (US$310).

As one of South Africa’s most prominent retailers, Pick n Pay is steadily building a circular economy model. It demonstrates how sustainable thinking can be integrated into everyday retail operations—from the checkout counter to recycling machines and now, even wine box stands.

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