Celebrating the unveiling of a new R3-million imported recycling baling machine and conveyor system are Petco CEO Telly Chauke and CL Trading managing director, Shaun Styger. The new machine increases CL Trading’s processing capacity and boosts income opportunities for the region’s waste pickers

Petco’s investment in CL Trading boosts Western Cape’s recycling collections

A MASSIVE baling machine that compacts and readies materials for recycling is set to double the collection capacity of one of the Western Cape’s leading waste management businesses and, in turn, provide additional income for hundreds of informal waste pickers in the region.

In April, CL Trading marked three decades in recycling and waste management with the unveiling of its new R3-million imported Enerpat horizontal baler at its Parow site. According to managing director Shaun Styger, the high-volume baler – one of only a handful nationwide – will help the business double its recyclables processing, which currently stands at about 3,500 tonnes per month. This diverts more waste from landfi ll and potentially creates additional income streams for hundreds of waste pickers in the region who sell the recyclable materials they collect to CL Trading.

The high-volume machinery was imported and commissioned thanks to financial assistance from South Africa’s longest-standing producer responsibility organisation, Petco. The organisation’s support of CL Trading began in 2023, when it won the Petco Award for the Best Community Recycling Initiative.

“From early support such as branded collection trailers to more recent operational support, this partnership has helped us improve how we manage, track, and scale recyclable material. It has ultimately allowed us to operate more efficiently and strengthen our position within the recycling value chain,” said Styger. He explains that while standard industry balers process up to 750 tonnes of recyclable materials per month, the new Enerpat horizontal baler processes up to 2,500 tonnes per month. “We’re still learning and configuring the new baler and conveyor system, but with it, we’re looking to double our processing volume in the coming months.”

This allows CL Trading to increase the recyclable material volumes it buys from small collection businesses and regional waste pickers. While the industry standard baling speed is around 25 minutes, the new machine bales at roughly a tonne of material in just over three minutes. “The bale’s higher density allows us to get more payload onto our trucks and containers, making logistics more efficient and enabling us to pass some of the processing fee cost savings on to our suppliers.”

With collection depots in Stellenbosch, Strand and Parow, the business employs over 200 staff and has a fleet of more than 50 collection vehicles. On peak days, over 700 waste pickers bring recyclables to CL Trading’s Stellenbosch depot alone.

James Mpondo of Thasompo Recycling reiterated the role CL Trading plays in growing his small collection business: “CL Trading has taken me from zero to hero. If they see you need something, they help you”.

Petco CEO Telly Chauke adds that Petco’s rigorous partner selection supports and strengthens the collection and recycling value chain. “Investing in infrastructure support for SMMEs like CL Trading is one of our focus areas, because we believe that giving the right tools to the right people will help them build a solid operational foundation, and grow South Africa’s circular economy for the benefit of all,” said Chauke. “This day is testament to how partnerships really work to unlock not only collections but also more opportunities for waste pickers, as well as the opportunity to get a consistent supply of good quality recyclable material to the gate of the recycler,” said Chauke.

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) official Tshepiso Seabelo said the unveiling of the new baler marked another milestone towards empowering waste entrepreneurs and strengthening the circular value chain.