Minister Dion George launches pioneering net recycling facility at the V&A Waterfront
MINISTER of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, officially launched South Africa’s first harbour-based net recycling facility at the V&A Waterfront.
A containerised “micro-recycling pod” that processes end-of-life fishing nets into high-value raw materials for reuse in plastic manufacturing has been established at Collier Jetty. This has been made possible through a pilot project led by OCEAN Action Network (OCEAN) and Ocean Plastic Technologies (OPT). Supporting the project is the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA), which secured funding for the pilot project from the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund. The project was made possible through space donated by the V&A Waterfront and marks the launch of the country’s first harbour-based net recycling facility — a bold step in reducing plastic waste in our oceans.
“The solution we see here today, the recycling and repurposing of end-of-life fishing gear, provides a glimpse of what a sustainable future can look like. This is how we build resilience in our blue economy, ensuring that economic activity supports environmental protection,” said Minister George.
The recycling pod, housed in a converted shipping container, can shred, wash, dry and densify up to 100 kg of used nets per hour. By transforming discarded fishing gear into clean plastic flakes, the facility prevents waste from reaching landfills or the ocean, reduces the risk of ghost fishing gear, and creates new economic opportunities.
“This is more than just a recycling project,” said Estelle van der Merwe, Managing Director of OCEAN Action Network. “It’s about protecting marine ecosystems, supporting South Africa’s fishing communities, and building a model that can be replicated in other harbours around the country and across the continent.”
Johann Augustyn, Executive Secretary of SADSTIA, emphasised the project’s alignment with the MSC Fisheries Standard: “Mitigating the impacts of ghost gear is essential for healthy oceans. We hope this South African pilot inspires wider adoption of innovative, technology-based recycling solutions.”
SADSTIA represents the vessel owners and operators who participate in the South African trawl fishery for hake. The fishery has maintained one of the longest continuous MSC certifications in the world’s fishing industry and SADSTIA recently announced that it has applied for a fifth certification from the MSC.
With the recycling pod now fully operational, the next step is to scale the model. OPT’s self-contained plant is designed for easy replication: additional containers can be deployed to other harbours.
“This project shows what’s possible when industry and innovators work hand-in-hand,” said Oliver Nudds of OPT. “By densifying and cleaning plastic on-site, we’re creating a resource rather than a waste problem – and building a foundation for long-term sustainability, job creation and economic upliftment.”
The net recycling project aims to create a scalable, circular economy solution for marine plastic waste right at the harbour’s edge. It will also create awareness of the importance of recycling among residents and visitors to the V&A Waterfront.
https://oceanplastictechnologies.com
www.our-ocean.org
