Earth Day: Local initiative diverts 20 million kilograms of plastic from landfill

As the world celebrates Earth Day, the local Packa-Ching programme has announced that it has reached a significant milestone, diverting 20 million kilograms of plastic waste from landfills since its inception in 2019.

The programme, driven by Polyco, is not only cleaning the environment, but also putting cash back into the pockets of environmentally conscious consumers.

To date, R20 million has been paid to local communities to support individuals, families and local businesses.

The 20 million kilograms of plastic would have otherwise ended up in the environment – enough to fill over 3 500 shipping containers which, if placed end-to-end, would stretch for 21 kilometres.

Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco is thrilled about the achievement.

“It takes us a step closer to the creation of a circular economy in which our members’ plastic products become a valuable resource for communities.”

Polyco’s announcement comes as 175 countries, including South Africa, begin negotiating a United Nations Treaty to end Plastic Pollution, which is expected to be finalised before the end of 2024.

Over the past 13 years, Polyco has added over 300 000 tonnes of additional recycling capacity growth in the sector, with this plastic packaging otherwise ending up in landfills.

Its Packa-Ching programme focuses on creating recycling facilities in areas without any separation at source infrastructure and paying community members for the plastic and other recyclable waste they drop-off.

So far, 26 Pack-Ching units have been established across the country, including the latest unit, which was launched in Khayelitsha recently.

At these facilities, community members, in particular waste pickers, are paid for the recyclable packaging material (such as plastics, glass, metal and board) they collect and drop off.

Pillay says this creates a win-win situation for waste pickers who are able to earn an income while recyclable plastics are diverted from already full municipal landfills.

“We will continue to expand our Packa-Ching programme with new buy-back centres opening over the next few months, including the opening of a mobile lite unit in Mkhunzangwe in Khayelitsha, and a new static facility opening in Ndanstane in the Buffalo City Municipality on the 8th of May.”

Read more about Earth Day and the call for a 60% Reduction of Plastic Production by 2040.