South Africa’s glass recycling industry is one lesser-known niche that’s helping put food on the table and save the planet. Here’s what you need to know!
South Africa, (25 April 2023) — It goes without saying that times are tough and wallets are tight in South Africa at the moment. At the same time, many of us are also trying to do our part for the planet which is often bunked as expensive. But what if people could grow their piggy banks and help the planet? SA’s glass recycling industry is proving that not only is it possible, but it’s also an all-important part of our economy.
You’d be forgiven for wondering how something like glass recycling could put food on the table. In reality, South Africa’s glass recycling industry injects over R300-million into the economy, according to NPC The Glass Recycling Company which is the sole Producer Responsibility Organisation in South Africa for glass packaging.
“The glass recycling industry can be a source of income and create entrepreneurial opportunities, especially as there is currently a shortage of entrepreneurs in the glass recycling space, despite the high demand for glass recycling,” shares Shabeer Jhetam, TGRC’s CEO.
How Does It Work?
Annually, South Africa produces more than 1 million tons of glass packaging. So, The Glass Recycling Company provides opportunities to help glass collectors and buy-back centres, as well as supporting people looking to start buy-back centres with glass collection bags, equipment, safety gear, scales, skip bins and other support.
Anyone can start a buy-back centre in the glass recycling industry, provided they can illustrate how much glass can be collected, its sources and other important requirements.
This is a great way for informal recyclers to further their opportunities, and create more work for others all while closing the glass gap.
Can Recycling Glass Really Make a Financial and Environmental Difference?
As the non-profit company shares, recycling glass helps reduce landfill space, minimises our carbon footprint and conserves our natural resources, as well as saving energy (when loadshedding doesn’t beat us to it, of course).
“Taking into account the transportation and processing, for every ton of glass made out of recycled glass, 670kg of CO2 emissions are saved.
Recycling conserves our natural resources by reducing the need for raw materials to be quarried. For every ton of waste glass used to manufacture new glass, 1.2 tons of non-renewable, natural resources are saved.”—TRGC.
On the financial side, some organisations have relied on glass recycling to pay their bills, including Recycling for Animal Welfare which used glass recycling to pay their vet bills.
You can learn more about starting your own glass recycling entrepreneurial or collecting journey here.
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