Target 2: 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable

Recyclability must always be defined by two components, in line with global best practice:

  1. Through lab and recycling plant testing, it must be determined to be technically recyclable.
  2. It must be recyclable in practice and at scale, and confirmed with updated annual updates of output recycling rates in South Africa.

Technical recyclability alone is insufficient – e.g. a packaging type may be technically recyclable at great cost, for which there is no funding available, meaning that little to no recycling takes place.

The recyclability of Plastics Pact members packaging placed on the market in South Africa in 2022.
Focus areas

The largest tonnages graded ‘not recyclable’ or having ‘limited recyclability’ in the Pact membership are in the flexibles across both multilayer multi-polymer formats (plastic No 7) and PP (plastic No 5) flexibles.

Actions

  • Fast-track the simplest design changes through: 
    • a clear Design for Circularity guideline that members can use internally to advocate for changes to improve the circularity potential of their packaging formats.
  • Address more challenging design changes through: 
    • calls for information and pitch events for converters to present their alternatives to multilayer multi-polymer and PP flexibles