Petco member Tetra Pak® has announced double-digit collection and recycling figures for the liquid board packaging (LBP) scheme for 2024 at its annual Sustainability Forum in Johannesburg.

Under the EPR scheme administered by Petco, the collection and recycling of LBP showed substantial growth – from 8% for each aspect in 2023 to 26% and 24% respectively in 2024, which met the targets set by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

The event, which was held to coincide with Global Recycling Day on March 18, showcased to its key stakeholders – including brand owners, potential customers and government – how Tetra Pak® is delivering on its sustainability commitments, with the help of partners like Petco, which is solely responsible for helping to achieve its EPR targets.

Speaking at the event, Petco CEO Telly Chauke highlighted how the Petco model was being applied to build a sustainable value chain for LBP, and assist Tetra Pak® to scale up its collection and recycling efforts.

Describing it as juggling the three balls of collection, recycling capacity and end-use demand, Chauke said unlocking collection was a necessary first step to ensure that waste was diverted away from landfills and the environment, and into the recycling value chain.

To increase the street value of LBP and therefore collections, Petco provided purchase assistance to the recycler, which increased the gate price of LBP, and also launched an incentives campaign encouraging consumers and waste pickers to collect LBP.

“Once the LBP enters the value chain, we need adequate capacity to recycle, and we do this by offering contractual security to our partners, which allows them to invest in capacity improvements. Without adequate capacity, even waste that has been collected will eventually make its way back to landfill.”

“Lastly, growing end-use demand for recycled content provides an economic stimulus throughout the value chain.”

As a result of the good foundation laid in 2023, which was the first year of administering a new EPR scheme for LBP, Chauke said Petco and Tetra Pak® had achieved an overall volume increase of 67% in the tonnages collected for 2024.

“The success achieved by Petco and Tetra Pak® in the collection of LBP would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our young, dynamic team of buy-back centre liaison officers. Each team member is assigned to a specific province, where they focus on facilitating and driving LBP collection by collaborating closely with buy-back centres and other key stakeholders, and gathering real-time data to improve efficiencies,” she added.

“Most importantly, Petco would like to thank Tetra Pak® for its commitment to making this scheme a success, and for investing the time and resources in building a sustainable value chain for LBP. Together, we have proved that the Petco model works and will continue to bear fruits in the years to come.”

Looking ahead, Chauke said the key priorities would be to keep growing recycling capacity to meet current and future targets, to unlock further collections by partnering with municipalities, and to onboard more members for the LBP scheme, so that more could benefit from the economies of scale that Petco facilitates.