C O M PA N Y F O C U S
Resourceful change sustains a circular economy The Ocean Conservancy claims that every year, 8m m/t tonnes of plastics enter the ocean on top of an estimated 150m tonnes that is currently already circulating in the marine environment. It is estimated that up to 60% of sea birds and 100% of sea turtles have been found with some sort of ingested plastic, mistakenly eaten as food*. Food Review asked Shyam Chirkoot to explain his take on fostering a green and circular plastics economy in South Africa.
S
cientific studies reveal that microplastics are contained in drinking water, imposing long-term health
hazards on human life. These concerns have been adopted into the sustainability goals of the UN and the AU. Environmentalists and concerned bodies are waging war on plastic packaging, with some countries banning single-use plastics and introducing other tough restrictions. Despite this, plastic has a very important role in the functionality of packaging, and the lack of a suitable green, economical alternative makes plastic a necessary evil, at least for the foreseeable future. There is an urgent need for a radical change in manufacturing, particularly in the packaging industry. Many countries have adopted the circular economy (CE) model, which mimics the biorhythms of nature. Waste is seen as having value and as a resource for another process. True economic circularity may resolve the problem as well as create other opportunities, but requires ownership by all players. Accordingly, the South African government adapted its National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS), bringing in CE centrally to waste management, and introducing the requirement of Industry-Managed Waste plans, including the packaging industry. Evident from the latest State of Waste Report (SOWR) and the NWMS, much is happening at the regulation level and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) level. Weak governance,
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Food Review | October 2020
an uninterested South African public attitude
There appears to be conflicting thinking on
towards waste management, and inadequate
how to move forward. A typical example is a
budget provision are some of the recent
retailer’s recent change in packaging from a
challenges (SOWR, 2018).
plastic tray to highly-absorbent cardboard. At
Whilst the revised NWMS has included
face value, this appears to be a “green” move.
the circular economy model centrally to its
However, it has moved from a 100% recyclable
strategy, it has also introduced new Industry
material to a board that, once contaminated
Waste Management Plans, including paper
with food residue, may not be recyclable,
and packaging, considered priority waste,
having then to be landfilled or composted.
amongst others. (DEA, 2019, National Waste
South Africa ranks very high globally in plastic
Management Strategy, p.28-33.)
recycling performance, whilst we do not yet
Clomark, a prominent manufacturer of
have adequate composting facilities, and
printed packaging, and its top management
landfilled sites are near capacity. Hence this
is passionate about environmental initiatives
packaging initiative may not only have taken
and has been proactive in this regard for
away the recyclability of its packaging but may
almost 20 years, thus becoming a front-runner
place further pressure on landfilled sites as
in adapting to a CE model.
well as on further deforestation for board.
A FLURRY OF CHANGE
PLASTICS, THE NECESSARY EVIL?
Countries are adopting varied approaches,
Packaging SA states that “packaging is an
with many recently restricting or banning
essential part of modern life, allowing people
the use of “single-serve” plastic packaging.
to consume fresh, uncontaminated food and
Large corporates such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé
beverages” (Packaging SA, 2017). Plastics are
and PepsiCo are under pressure to modify
highly environmentally-friendly when correctly
packaging to make it more recyclable,
disposed of. The alternatives to plastic require
reusable or compostable. There is growing
more energy to produce and could almost
environmental concern in many countries,
double greenhouse gases.
including South Africa, with some of our
Economic and social needs drive recycling in
customers approaching us for alternative
South Africa. Recycling performance compares
“green” packaging solutions and innovation.
well with many developed countries, largely
