Do you want Waste Management support?
Waste management is more than just collecting rubbish—it is a vital part of building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment. Proper recycling and recovery of plastics, glass, tyres, metals, and other materials reduces pollution, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves valuable natural resources. By diverting waste from landfills, South Africa can address pressing environmental challenges while aligning with global sustainability goals.
At the same time, waste management plays a significant role in job creation and economic inclusion. Thousands of South Africans—particularly in the informal sector—earn a livelihood through collection, sorting, and recycling initiatives. Supported by industry associations and producer responsibility organisations (PROs), these opportunities empower local communities while ensuring businesses comply with national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
Key Waste Management Associations in South Africa
| Association | Sector / Waste Type | Requirements to Participate | Type of Support / Programmes | Contact / Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastics SA | Plastics | Open to plastics industry stakeholders, recyclers, and partners | Training, awareness campaigns, industry collaboration, sustainability advocacy | www.plasticsinfo.co.za |
| Polyco (Polyolefin Responsibility Organisation) | Polyolefin plastics (HDPE, LDPE, PP) | Producers, recyclers, and collectors working with polyolefins | Funding for recycling projects, infrastructure development, buy-back centre support | www.polyco.co.za |
| The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) | Glass | Collectors, buy-back centres, depots, and micro-enterprises | Financial support, awareness campaigns, infrastructure for glass recycling | www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za |
| SATRP Co (SA Tyre Recycling Process Company) | Tyres | Tyre producers, transporters, recyclers, and depots | Collection coordination, recycling into crumb rubber, compliance with EPR | www.satrp.co.za |
| MetPac-SA | Metal packaging (aluminium, steel, aerosols, foil) | Packaging producers and recyclers | Compliance programmes, awareness, industry support | www.metpacsa.org.za |
| Collect-a-Can | Beverage cans (aluminium & steel) | Schools, communities, informal collectors, recyclers | Buy-back programme, rewards, awareness campaigns | www.collectacan.co.za |
| Fibre Circle | Paper & packaging | Paper manufacturers, packaging producers, recyclers | Infrastructure support, training, awareness programmes | www.fibrecircle.co.za |
| Packaging SA | Multi-material packaging | Packaging producers and PROs | Industry coordination, policy advocacy, EPR compliance support | www.packagingsa.co.za |
| PETCO (PET Recycling Company NPC) | PET plastics (bottles, containers) | PET packaging producers, recyclers, collectors | Funding recycling projects, awareness, infrastructure support | www.petco.co.za |
| South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA) | General recyclables | Informal waste pickers, community-based collectors | Advocacy, training, representation, integration into formal recycling | N/A (linked through groundWork SA) |
| RecyclePaperZA | Paper & paper packaging | Paper manufacturers, producers, and recyclers | Public education, recycling industry data, awareness campaigns | www.recyclepaper.co.za |
| eWASA (e-Waste Association of South Africa) | Electronic waste | Electronics producers, refurbishers, recyclers | Training, standards, awareness, compliance support | www.ewasa.org |
Getting in touch with the above organisations will certainly assist aspiring Wastepreneurs to support clean environment efforts and to ensure that more opportunities are identified in order to create jobs and produce new products from those recycled products. Waste Management is also one of the business that has low barriers for entry, which is why everyone can start as seen by having people in rural areas and informal settlements taking part in it.