South Africa generates about 122 million tonnes of waste a year, and only 10% is recycled or recovered for other uses, while the other 90% is dumped in landfills — which are reaching capacity in South Africa's major metros.

While about 1.2-million tonnes of paper and paper packaging is diverted from landfills, an alarming amount cannot be recycled because it has been contaminated by foods, liquid and other waste.

This is an issue that has to be urgently addressed through collaboration and cooperation across related sectors, government and affected parties.

In an effort to bring the major players together Fibre Circle, will be hosting a first-of-its-kind colloquium on Thursday, 28 September, to spark important discourse between leading experts and stakeholders who share a mutual interest in tackling the issues and challenges affecting South Africa's waste recycling efforts.

The Speaking Together — Liquid Board Packaging Conference will include two panel discussions. The first will provide insights into the South African policy landscape and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations, together with an analysis of the investments needed to drive changes in waste management.

Speakers from relevant government departments will unpack key developments shaping the policy landscape with input from the private sector on what these mean for implementation in practical terms.

The second panel discussion will feature leaders of packaging businesses in a discussion on international approaches and success stories and how these can serve as a catalyst toward a more effective and environmentally-conscious standard of practice in liquid board packaging in South Africa.

This session will also include a frank and robust conversation among researchers and industry representatives about the challenges they face as well as the opportunities that exist to expand the capacity of South Africa's liquid board recycling mills.

It will also provide an update on the research and development initiatives underway aimed at beneficiation in the liquid board packaging industry.

The conference will bring the sector together to explore opportunities for collaboration to advance South Africa's circular economy and have a tangible, sustainable impact on the environment.

Fibre Circle is a not-for-profit producer responsibility organisation established by producers of paper and packaging to keep renewable paper and paper packaging out of South Africa's landfills. Its goal is to:
  • improve collection and recycling programmes
  • manage EPR fees
  • engage with stakeholders, and
  • promote research and development.

Fibre Circle is managing a five-year industry implementation plan from 2022-2026 for the collection and recycling of fibre-based packaging.

The implementation plan includes:
  • promoting the collection of post-consumer fibre-based packaging
  • supporting the informal sector collectors, waste pickers and reclaimers
  • training SMMEs to operate in the recycling industry
  • conducting public awareness campaigns on recycling, and
  • collaborating with municipalities to increase the collection and sorting of recyclables.

Fibre Circle colloquium will take place at the The Venue, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg on Thursday, 28 September.

For more information, visit www.fibrecircle.co.za.