Where to recycle plastics in South Africa
The Sustainable Sea Trust has an interactive map that shows thousands of collectors, recyclers, depots, landfills, swap shops and buy-back centres in most major centres in South Africa.
If you live in the Western Cape, the Green Map has a list of recycling companies that cover different areas of Cape Town. Some offer collections; others have drop-off points.
Some suburbs in South Africa have recycling collection services run by civic associations or community groups for a monthly fee.
For more remote suburbs in South Africa, search community Facebook pages or a local directory for recycling depots and drop-off points.
What can be recycled?
Knowledge is power. Please dispose of these items responsibly and don’t allow them to end up in a landfill.
Tin and can recycling in SouthAfrica is one of the areas of waste management that is on the increase, especially in households.
Anything that runs on batteries or electricity is considered eWaste
Glass recycling in South Africa is on the increase.
Liquid packaging, which is sometimes referred to as Tetrapak, is a grade of packaging material which is now recyclable.
When it comes to office paper recycling or paper and cardboard recycling, there is a wide range of paper materials that can be diverted from landfill.
Plastic materials are widely recycled
When it comes to office paper recycling or paper and cardboard recycling, there is a wide range of paper materials that can be diverted from landfill.
Plastic materials are widely recycled
Tin and can recycling in SouthAfrica is one of the areas of waste management that is on the increase, especially in households.
Anything that runs on batteries or electricity is considered eWaste
Glass recycling in South Africa is on the increase.
Liquid packaging, which is sometimes referred to as Tetrapak, is a grade of packaging material which is now recyclable.
What PLASTICS can be recycled?
HDPE
Robust and stable material for recycling – Best in class
HDPE product diversity and properties varies and have impact on recyclable product performance
Food contact technology to be improved and developed
Excellent for non-food contact applications
PET
Most recycled material and a singular grade
Vanilla product – Major market all the same
Collection effort well advanced
Properties deteriorate if not done correctly – Sensitive but controllable
Food contact product leader
PP
Sensitive to degradation due to chemistry
Food contact technology to be improved and developed
Excellent for non-food contact applications
PET
Most recycled material and a singular grade
Vanilla product – Major market all the same
Collection effort well advanced
Properties deteriorate if not done correctly – Sensitive but controllable
Food contact product leader
HDPE
Robust and stable material for recycling – Best in class
HDPE product diversity and properties varies and have impact on recyclable product performance
Food contact technology to be improved and developed
Excellent for non-food contact applications
PP
Sensitive to degradation due to chemistry
Food contact technology to be improved and developed
Excellent for non-food contact applications
Together we can create a circular economy.
Plastic waste doesn't belong in the environment
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Let's all plastic responsibly.
