Two KwaZulu-Natal businesses are among the national sustainability change-makers that have been honoured by South Africa’s longest-standing producer responsibility organisation (PRO), Petco.

The annual Petco awards, that recognises inspiring work within the collection and recycling value chain throughout South Africa, were awarded to 11 recipients in nine categories, with Pietermaritzburg-based small business Recycle M named as joint winner in the Kerbside Collection and Sorting category.

GreenWay Africa was recognised in the Recycling Partnership Gamechanger category for its partnership with Heineken on Project Vuselela. This initiative assists with the collection of recyclable packaging from waste pickers and delivery to buy-back centres around Durban, thereby supporting their livelihoods and including them in the collection and recycling value chain.

Among other national brands and organisations recognised were Woolworths, for introducing South Africa’s first polyolefin shrink sleeve on the PET bottles used for its iced tea range – ensuring that these bottles can be recycled.

Liquid board packaging producer Tetra Pak was also awarded for its innovative school-based recycling campaign which educated almost 20,000 learners about the importance of collecting and recycling liquid board cartons, resulting in the collection of 9.5 tons of cartons.

Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz said the purpose of the accolades was to shine a light on unsung sustainability heroes and initiatives throughout South Africa.

“The awards once again recognise South Africans who are making an extraordinary contribution towards building a circular economy for our country.

“These community members and organisations are helping to create income streams in the waste economy, and divert post-consumer packaging from landfills and from ending up in the environment,” said Ms Scholtz.

“These are critical and yet often unrecognised strides in contributing to a sustainable future for our country.”

Since 2004, Petco has been facilitating the collection and recycling of PET bottles and jars, and their associated labels and closures, on behalf of its members. It began doing the same for liquid board (LBP) packaging in 2023.

Recycle M, a Pietermaritzburg-based initiative, was founded in 2016 and focuses on kerbside recycling collections across 12 suburbs and 25 businesses.

With collections on a weekly set schedule, the business promotes waste diversion from landfills through a separation-at-source system, encouraging residents to place recyclable packaging in clear bags on scheduled days or use specially labelled recycling bins in residential complexes.

Owner Mandy Hiralal said she grew up in a family that recycled or reused everything.

“So, when I saw an advert placed in the local newspapers by Msunduzi Municipality, inviting residents to join them in their kerbside recycling programme, and start a small business, I saw the opportunity to combine my passion for recycling with a viable income stream.”

She said, like any new venture, it had been a slow start but that as word spread, the community participation grew and continues to grow.

“The community loves the idea and convenience of our kerbside collection system, as well as the personal touch and hands-on approach of our operations,” said Ms Hiralal.

“The community benefits in the form of cleaner surroundings, an increased awareness of how to dispose of our waste responsibly, and togetherness as we all work together towards the common goal of preservation and protection of the environment.”

Recycling Partnership Gamechanger (joint winner) GreenWay Africa, in partnership with Heineken for Project Vuselela, focuses on the collection of recyclable packaging to support waste pickers’ livelihoods and promote sustainability.

The KwaZulu-Natal project aims to ensure inclusivity and support for waste pickers, by facilitating efficient collection of waste materials from them and delivery to various buy-back centres around Durban. When waste reaches maximum capacity in waste pickers’ yards or designated group spaces, a truck is dispatched to collect from all of them.

These interventions ensure seamless connections and trading between the buy-back centre and seller, overcoming transportation challenges by using the partners’ established transport network.

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Local recycling businesses win national awards