Tech startup Sonke debuts first-of-a-kind refill store to slash plastic waste in SA

SOUTH AFRICA – Sonke, a tech startup, has launched Skubu, South Africa’s first automated refill store designed to eliminate single-use plastic packaging.

The pilot store, located in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, was developed by tech startup Sonke in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), through the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund.

Skubu enables shoppers to refill essential household items — such as cooking oil, maize meal, sugar, and cleaning products — using their own containers.

This model significantly reduces plastic waste while offering cost savings for low-income households, who can purchase goods in smaller, affordable quantities.

Powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology developed by Sonke, the refill stations provide real-time traceability across the supply chain — from receipt and dispatch to restocking and point-of-sale. This enhances supply chain transparency, efficiency, and sustainability.

In a statement, the CSIR praised Skubu’s launch as a pivotal step toward integrating circular economy principles into daily consumer habits.

“Skubu is a great demonstration initiative showing how circular economy principles can be implemented through collaboration,” said Professor Linda Godfrey, principal researcher at the CSIR and lead of Circular Innovation South Africa, a DSTI initiative.

Beyond environmental benefits, Godfrey noted that the model also tackles food security by increasing access to quality products for economically disadvantaged communities.

The initiative aligns with DSTI’s broader mission to strengthen South Africa’s national system of innovation, aiming to connect science councils and universities with the private sector to de-risk and scale circular economy solutions.

Dr Mmboneni Muofhe, DSTI Deputy Director-General for Socioeconomic Innovation Partnerships, emphasized the initiative’s dual impact.

“Through the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund, we’re not only protecting the environment but also leveraging science, technology, and innovation to drive enterprise development and job creation,” he said.

To support Skubu’s rollout, the CSIR conducted site assessments to identify optimal locations and analysed data from the IoT-enabled stations to evaluate the model’s viability and scalability in the retail market.

According to the CSIR, Skubu refill stations can eliminate up to 100% of single-use plastic packaging and help consumers save up to 50% by standardizing the cost per litre across refill sizes — delivering clear economic and environmental advantages.

The launch of Skubu represents a transformative shift in retail consumption, paving the way for more sustainable, inclusive, and affordable shopping experiences across South Africa.

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