GreenCape, in partnership with the Anglo American Foundation (AAF), has published a report on the Flexible Packaging Solutions Showcase; a first-of-its-kind event that was hosted by GreenCape, the SA Plastics Pact secretariat, and supported by the AAF. The event was attended by retailers, brand-owners, converters and recyclers that are all members of the Pact.
Through the ongoing work of the SA Plastics Pact’s Flexibles Action Group, it was determined that urgent action was needed to address the challenge of flexible packaging and, in particular, flexible polypropylene laminate film (PP BoPP) and multipolmer multilayer plastic packaging. Since of the Pact’s four ambitious targets aims at ensuring that 100% of plastic packaging entering the market is reusable, recyclable or compostable, work on flexibles was seen as critical.
Flexible packaging is critically important in our daily lives, and performs a significant number of varied functions., yet their recycling rates in South Africa remain low due to technical and economic barriers. Market size estimations for production of multilayer laminate film (which is not recycled at all) suggest 36 000 tonnes for 2025, with a slightly small estimation of 32 500 tonnes for PP (BOPP) laminate film, which is poorly recycled in South Africa.
The Showcase event, held in Johannesburg in September 2024, gathered key stakeholders to explore viable alternatives and spark collaboration. Six entrants presented recyclable polyethylene alternatives, offering solutions for vacuum bags, pouches, and more—materials already collected for recycling in South Africa.
Despite challenges such as insufficient local demand and the costs of upgrading production lines, the event revealed that there are substantial opportunities for local converters to introduce recyclable packaging solutions. As the country ramps up Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) efforts, the potential for higher recycling rates and compliance with regulatory standards grows.
The South African Plastics Pact continues to foster collaboration among stakeholders to drive progress, ensuring South Africa moves closer to achieving its sustainability goals.
Interested in learning more? Read the full report to discover insights and opportunities for advancing a circular economy in South Africa’s plastic packaging sector.
