Register with the right PRO before 5 November

Taking practical or financial responsibility for the disposal of one’s products is no longer a nice-to-have or a tick-box exercise.

xtended producer responsibility (EPR)

Eof producers and importers in the electrical, lighting, and paper and packaging sectors has now been made mandatory by the South African government. On 5 May 2021, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) gazetted the amended EPR regulations under section 18 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008).

These regulations aim to provide the framework for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EPR schemes. This will promote the effective life-cycle management of the identified products and enable the implementation of circular economy initiatives.

The regulations also make the producer (or group of producers) responsible for: the establishment of an EPR scheme, the development and implementation of an EPR plan, and compliance against annual recovery and recycling targets.

Calling for collective investment

According to Francois Marais, manager of Fibre Circle – the producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for the paper and paper packaging sector – EPR will foster collaborative investment in material recovery infrastructure, such as convenient recycling facilities for consumers and collection at the pre-consumer phase.

Fibre Circle is calling on obliged paper producers – which could encompass manufacturers and importers of paper and paper packaging, as well as brand owners and retailers – to join its ranks. Any South African company or brand that makes or imports paper or paper packaging (whether primary or secondary) for distribution in South Africa is required to belong to an approved EPR scheme and to pay an EPR fee per sales tonne of product.

In collaboration with its members, Fibre Circle will manage the EPR schemes for newspapers; magazines; office, graphic, mixed and other papers; corrugated cases and kraft paper; liquid board packaging; labels; and paper sacks.

“By joining Fibre Circle and doing so before 5 November, your paper and paper packaging interests can be collectively represented and you will be compliant with EPR regulations,” says Marais.

He adds that Fibre Circle will identify shared problems and opportunities for collaboration among member companies, municipalities, other PROs and the informal sector – all in support of a thriving circular economy.