Advancing a more sustainable and inclusive circular economy requires collaboration, investment, and meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the recycling value chain.

That was the message from Petco CEO Telly Chauke at the recent Circular Economy Summit 2026, hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) at the University of Limpopo’s Turfloop Campus.

The summit brought together over 100 delegates from industry, government and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, explore opportunities to advance sustainable economic growth and discuss the role of the circular economy in driving transformation.

In her presentation, ‘The Circular Economy: Youth-Led Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Transformation’, Telly highlighted Petco’s role in advancing EPR and the circular economy in South Africa. She emphasised the importance of transitioning to a circular model that prioritises resource recovery, recycling and reuse, while creating opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

Her address formed part of the commission on environmental and waste funding, which explored climate change financing, access to funding, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), public-private partnerships and innovative funding models.