"The 2021 recovery rate reflects a 9% drop on the previous year, which can be attributed to Covid-disrupted supply chains coming out of 2020 and into 2021, as well as a shift in the economy and buying trends," says Jane Molony, executive director of PAMSA.

"The country has been using recycled paper as a raw material in tissue and packaging products since as early as 1920," adds Molony.

The 9% drop does not mean that the country is recycling less paper, says the organisation. In fact, there was marginally more paper collected in 2021 than in 2020 (1.10 million tonnes).

However, the consumption of paper and paper packaging increased year on year by 17%, which knocked the percentage out, adds PAMSA.

2021 also saw more paper products being put on the market as brands shifted from plastic to paper packaging, adds PAMSA. In addition, businesses and schools opened up again.

The association says that it is cautiously optimistic about the 2022 recycling statistics, as quarter one's numbers are showing an uptick.

"Waste paper is a commodity and subject to market dynamics and cycles," says Molony. "Throughout the world, there has been a significant demand for recycled fibre."

According to PAMSA statistics, the country produced 2.1 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging in 2021, imported 760 000 tonnes and exported 545 000 tonnes. This put the apparent consumption of paper and paper packaging at 2.31 million tonnes.

Paper recovery rate explained
Pre-pandemic, some of the South African recyclers and manufacturers secured warehouse space for the waste paper so that they could continue to buy stock and meet market demands, adds PAMSA.

"We entered the pandemic period with a surplus of waste paper, however in 2021, this surplus was depleted. This knocked the recovery rate percentage down," says Molony.

The important aspect to note is that paper has not ended up in landfills, adds PAMSA. It is still within the system as stock.

Recoverable paper excludes paper that is unsuitable for recoveries such as:
  • tissue products
  • cigarette papers, and
  • corrugated boxes that leave our shores along with the fruit, wine and other exports.
The country exported some 574 000 tonnes of paper packaging in 2021.

Climate-friendly resource
"The use of more pulp, paper and paper packaging should not be frowned upon as a cause of deforestation or being bad for the environment," Molony adds.

Molony says, "South African pulp and paper mills only use wood fibre from sustainably managed plantations. After mature trees have been harvested, new trees are planted, ensuring sustainable supply and increased carbon uptake and, of course, storage of carbon in harvested wood products, including paper."

Key to the success of paper recycling is separation-at-source by consumers. This is to support the collection from consumers, which include:
  • businesses
  • schools
  • academic institutions, and
  • infrastructures.
"We also need to close the gaps between our technical capacity to recycle infrastructure to recover and collect, and awareness, education and behaviour change among consumers," concludes Molony.

For more information, visit www.thepaperstory.co.za. You can also follow PAMSA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.