BY GRETCHEN ANKER PLASTICS manufacturers know the pattern. An order surge arrives, production needs extra hands, or a seasonal peak is approaching. Twenty additional operators are needed but only for a limited period. Temporary labour can be a practical solution, provided it is set up correctly. Whether workers are supplied by a labour broker or… Read more »
RECENT calls to ban plastic carrier bags or replace them with paper overlook an important reality: South Africa is less than five months away from a significant circular-economy milestone that will require compliant plastic carrier and flat bags to contain 100% post-consumer recyclate from 1 January 2027. According to Anton Hanekom, executive director of Plastics… Read more »
POLYCO has expanded its Packa-Ching recycling network in KwaZulu-Natal with the launch of a new mobile recycling unit in KwaMashu, operated by community-based enterprise Itheku Recycling Group. Launched on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, with additional fuel sponsorship support from Sasol over and above Polyco’s EPR investment, the new unit will increase access to paid recycling… Read more »
THE SUSTAINABLE SEAS TRUST (SST), in partnership with Plastics SA, the South African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) and Marley Pipe Systems, has relaunched and expanded its successful Fishing Line Bin Initiative following a generous donation of PVC pipes and fittings from Marley Pipe Systems in response to a call for industry support from SAPPMA…. Read more »
POLYCO and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) have expanded the iThemba Phakama 4Ps (People, Public, Private, Partnership) programme to 31 schools across the province, including 14 additional low-income and no-fee schools added during the 2026 rollout. This forms part of a broader effort to scale a practical, community-linked recycling… Read more »
BY GRETCHEN ANKER ONE of the first questions employers ask after receiving correspondence from a trade union is: “Do we have to let them into our workplace?” The answer is rarely straightforward. Employers are often uncertain whether a union is entitled to organisational rights, whether recognition must be granted immediately, and what practical steps should… Read more »
THE SUCCESS of any piping system depends on sound engineering, robust technical specifications, quality manufacturing and proper installation. Whether supplying drinking water to communities, supporting mining operations or serving industrial facilities, the long-term performance of plastic piping systems relies on every component meeting the highest standards of quality and compliance. Piping Material Engineers play a… Read more »
NEWLY released data shows how South Africa’s collection and recycling sector received a significant boost from packaging producers and brand owners in 2025. The investment in the sector, detailed in Petco’s annual results, reveals how members’ extended producer responsibility fees were used to boost the collection and recycling value chain across the country in 2025…. Read more »
BY GRETCHEN ANKER ABSENTEEISM refers to frequent or habitual absence from work without valid or approved reasons. While occasional absence is inevitable, persistent absenteeism disrupts operations, reduces productivity, and places additional strain on colleagues who must cover for absent employees. Absenteeism can stem from illness, stress, burnout, poor morale, lack of engagement, personal challenges, or… Read more »
THE Petco Awards, which took place during the Petco Annual General Meeting in Johannesburg on 7 May, recognise excellence across the collection and recycling value chain and celebrate the individuals, businesses and organisations leading the sector through innovation, education and their commitment to diverting packaging from landfill and building a circular economy. Winners are recognised… Read more »
UNDER the theme “Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate,” Plastics SA is intensifying its efforts to prevent plastic pollution from reaching South Africa’s rivers, streams and oceans through a series of collaborative river catchment projects across the country. The United Nations’ World Oceans Day campaign calls for urgent collective action to protect ocean health… Read more »
BY TELLY CHAUKE Petco’s CEO, Telly Chauke, begins the new year looking at the current status of Extended Producer Responsibility globally, and what it means for South African producers and consumers. She also unpacks how that will impact Petco’s core work in supporting our members, and the collection and recycling value chain, in 2026 and… Read more »
BY GRETCHEN ANKER NON-COMPLIANCE with personal protective equipment (PPE) rules is one of the most common forms of workplace misconduct, especially in safety-sensitive environments. In manufacturing settings, PPE may include items such as gloves, masks, respirators, safety boots, eye protection, face shields, hearing protection, protective overalls and, where hygiene controls require it, hair coverings. Earplugs… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) reports strong progress in PVC recycling and product stewardship, exceeding national recycling targets for post-consumer PVC packaging despite increasingly difficult conditions. During Year 4 (2025) of its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme, SAVA’s recycling partners collectively recycled 587,902.48kg of post-consumer PVC packaging – a rate of 10.33%. This performance… Read more »
BY GRETCHEN ANKER ALCOHOL USE in the workplace remains one of the most common causes of disciplinary disputes. A failed breathalyser test, if not handled correctly, can expose an employer to reinstatement orders despite genuine safety concerns. Here’s what employers need to know at plant level to manage these cases fairly and lawfully. Confirm the… Read more »
POLYCO has announced a major national recycling milestone, confirming that its flagship Packa-Ching community recycling initiative has paid more than R50 million to South African communities and diverted over 41 million kilograms of waste from landfills. These achievements were celebrated at the Packa-Ching Gala Evening held in Cape Town in late November 2025, where Polyco… Read more »
POLYCO has invested R1,89 million in waste service provider New Earth Recycling, strengthening one of South Africa’s only dedicated recyclers of post-consumer and agricultural polystyrene and expanding the country’s limited domestic processing capacity for this type of plastic. This is Polyco’s third year supporting this Cape Town facility, highlighting the need to build viable recycling… Read more »
AUTHORITIES at the Kruger National Park hope a recycling pilot project will divert tonnes of waste from landfill and instead recycle it for the country’s circular economy. The pilot project, which is a collaborative effort between SANParks and producer responsibility organisation Petco, sees a new animal-proof, three-bin recycling system being implemented at the popular Tshokwane… Read more »
MAK PLASTICS has recently commissioned a high-capacity recycling extruder in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major milestone for South Africa’s recycling sector. The expansion was made possible through an R18 million investment and partnership support from Polyco, which enabled the installation of a new extruder and associated infrastructure. The new machinery has doubled the facility’s… Read more »
EVERY thriving city, town, and community depends on reliable water and sanitation infrastructure. At the heart of these essential systems lies an unsung hero: the humble plastic pipe. However, not all pipes are created equal. Ensuring that only certified, high-quality products make their way into critical infrastructure projects is the mission of the Southern African… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) is celebrating more than a decade of success under its Product Stewardship Commitment (PSC) – a voluntary programme that has transformed local PVC manufacturing to meet the highest global health, safety, and sustainability standards. Since 2011, every SAVA member has pledged to: • Eliminate mercury, lead, cadmium, and other… Read more »
As National Clean-up and Recycle SA Week gets underway, Polyco and Re-Purpose are making a big splash with the expansion of their joint initiative, Buddy the Superhero Fish, to schools across Kwa-Zulu Natal. This creative programme blends awareness with practical education, inspiring a daily recycling habit for learners, while highlighting the urgent need to reduce… Read more »
SOUTH AFRICA’S leading producer responsibility organisation, Petco, has delivered robust annual results for the collection and recycling of post-consumer packaging, meeting the legislated targets for 99% of the tonnage of identified products placed on the market by its members in 2024. The organisation’s 29 members, which include major brands such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Tiger Brands,… Read more »
PLASTICS SA is proud to announce the appointment of Samuel Kumbula as its new Sustainability Project Coordinator. Based at the company’s Head Office in Midrand, Sam joins the team with more than eight years of experience in the environmental management sector. His professional journey has equipped him with robust skills in project management, stakeholder engagement,… Read more »
AS SOUTH AFRICA marked Youth Day 2025 on June 16 under the theme “Skills for the Changing World – “Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation,” Polyco acknowledged the urgent need to tackle youth unemployment and promote opportunities in the green economy. With the country’s youth unemployment rate reaching a staggering 46.1% this year, the challenge… Read more »
South Africans are once again being called to action this spring as Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week 2025 takes place from 15-20 September 2025. Organised annually by Plastics SA, the umbrella body representing the entire plastics industry and supported by the packaging industry, this inspiring initiative encourages all citizens to take pride in their environment… Read more »
THE plastics manufacturing industry expresses deep concern over the continued absence of a duly appointed Accounting Authority at the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA), which raises serious questions around governance, accountability, and ethical leadership within the post-school education and training system. The term of the previous merSETA board expired… Read more »
ON World Environment Day 2025 on 5 June, under the global theme #BeatPlasticPollution, Polyco introduced a groundbreaking initiative that brings recycling full circle – even from the furthest reaches of the Earth. In partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and Innocence and Sons Recycling, Polyco is supporting the removal, transport,… Read more »
IN MARCH, Collin Stroberg of Nuvo Rubber Compounders was a deserved recipient of the John Tallant Medal at the Institute of Materials’ National Rubber Conference. The medal is presented to an individual who has made exceptional services to the rubber industry or to the Institute in either the technical, commercial or pioneering fields, all boxes… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association’s (SAVA) newly launched Vinyl-dot (vinyl.) offers consumers and end-users the assurance that PVC products carrying this quality mark, adhere to SAVA’s Product Stewardship Commitment (PSC) in that they are lead-free, only use additives that have been approved for high human contact applications and are recyclable. “Vinyl is an incredibly versatile… Read more »
MOTIVATED by a strong desire to clean up the environment, while also fighting unemployment, hunger and the growing threat of drugs in her community, Johanna Leshabane launched the Bophelo Recycling project in 2007. And while the project started out relatively small, the power of partnerships has seen it grow to the point where it now… Read more »
THE Polystyrene Association of South Africa (PASA) has responded to a statement made by the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs before the National Assembly earlier this year, identifying polystyrene as one of the five so-called ‘problem plastic products’ that have a short lifespan and are the biggest culprits in our environment. The other items on… Read more »
RECENT advances in the production and manufacturing of thermoplastic pipes are not only leading to substantial financial savings, but it also making significant strides to help save the environment and reduce the environmental impact of piping systems. According to Jan Venter, CEO of the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA), the local plastic pipes… Read more »
THE South African plastics industry has once again proved that it does not merely pay lip service when it comes to looking after the environment – it acts on its promises! Under the guidance of Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Director, Douw Steyn, supported by the KZN Marine Waste Network and various other organisations and institutions, more than… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) used its recent AGM in Midrand, Johannesburg, to launch two very important initiatives that stand to revolutionise the local PVC industry. Speaking at the event, SAVA Chief Executive Officer, Adri Spangenberg, said that worldwide the plastics industry has come under threat and been placed under severe scrutiny. “However, this… Read more »
THE countdown to SAPPMA’s biggest event of the year, the annual PIPES conference, has begun. The venue for this year’s conference – the 12th year that the event takes place – will again be the Altron Business Park (previously known as the Bytes Conference Centre) in Midrand and the dates have been confirmed as 27/28… Read more »
THE Polystyrene Association of South Africa unveiled exciting plans to increase the collection and recycling rate of post-consumer polystyrene at its Annual General Meeting held in Midrand recently. “We have had phenomenal success with our various recycling projects over the last 11 years. During the 2017-2018 financial year, more than 6 300 tons of polystyrene… Read more »
RUBBER, with all its complicated mixing formulations and alchemy, was to the fore again at the recent IOM³ National Rubber Conference, the 24th edition of the event. Played out at the very welcoming Cape St Francis Resort in the southern Cape from 4-6 April, the show drew 109 delegates, which is a record. And hats… Read more »
Increase in the amount of disposable diapers found illegally dumped THE results of the 2018 International Coastal Clean-up have just been released. During the 2018 event, 19 563 volunteers collected 241 425 items nationally in audited clean-ups that took place along the country’s 2 500km coastline. Although this is the official figure, many more volunteers… Read more »
More than 130 assist in largest clean-up to date ONE of South Africa’s most famous landmarks, Robben Island, was freed from some of its waste burden as more than 130 volunteers, guided by the national PET Recycling Company (PETCO) and Plastics SA, embarked on the island’s biggest ever waste collection drive. The tourist attraction and… Read more »
Signals changing sentiment among producers RPC Astrapak Thermopac has become the first in the PET thermoform plastics sector – responsible for products such as lightweight sandwich and fruit trays, which account for just under 20% of PET products nationwide – to sign on with PETCO, which until now has been supported primarily by the PET… Read more »
Signals changing sentiment among producers AMID mounting pressure on major retailers and brand owners to be more environmentally-minded, one of the country’s leading food packaging producers has become the first in the PET thermoform plastics sector to join the PET Recycling Company (PETCO). The move signals a changing sentiment among producers amid a tidal wave… Read more »
PETCO’s top tips on how to design easily recyclable packaging We live in a world where take, make, dispose – a so-called linear economy – is a way of life for many South Africans. We now know that this way of life is not sustainable. We must therefore urgently transition to a circular economy, one… Read more »
The ARMSA team drummed up support for the South African roto moulding event during the global ARMO event in Hamburg in September, with Wayne Wiid, Michael Boltau, Nick Agett, Brian Robertson and Ro-anne Wiid in attendance. The aim was to encourage roto moulding practioners to visit South Africa for the ARMO 2019 conference/exhibition in Sun… Read more »
Pipes not in compliance could jeopardize safety of employees, public, environment SAPPMA has added its voice to a recent warning about substandard HDPE pipes that do not comply with relevant product standards, issued by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) – the major North American plastic pipe trade association with many of its member companies… Read more »
Support from local certification bodies stand together THE relationship between the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) and certification bodies such as the South African Technical Auditing Service (SATAS) and the Productivity Engineering Services and Consultants (PESC) continues to grow from strength to strength as these associations are increasingly supportive of each other’s efforts… Read more »
Thousands rolled up their sleeves for world clean-up day 2018 THOUSANDS of South Africans rolled up their sleeves, put on their rubber gloves and took to the beaches in September as part of the first World Clean-up Day – the largest peacetime civic action in human history. Stretching across 24 different time zones, involving 144… Read more »
