What does it take to turn plastic waste into something new, and to build a system that truly supports it? Recently, some of our Petco members – representing Unilever, Mpact Limited and Polyoak Packaging, among others – got to see for themselves during a site immersion visit in KwaZulu-Natal. Along the way, the group spent time at a busy buy-back centre and visited a local PET recycling facility – seeing the people, challenges, and real-world progress behind South Africa’s growing circular economy.

Their first stop was a buy-back centre that has become a real driver of change in the province. Beyond trading in a wide range of materials – including PET – the centre has helped set up over 40 smaller operations, creating opportunities and supporting livelihoods across KwaZulu-Natal. It’s the kind of impact that’s hard to fully grasp until you see it up close.

Later, the group toured ALPLA’s impressive recycling facility in Ballito, where they learned about the operational practicalities and the process of converting PET into new packaging-grade resin. They also learned about the challenges of maintaining consistent feedstock, the importance of improving packaging design to ensure recyclability, and scaling up the use of recycled PET (rPET).

Representing a cross-section of the industry, the touring team of Petco members found the experience eye-opening and energising.

As one attendee put it: “You walk away with a deeper appreciation not just for the system, but for the people who keep it moving.”

These kinds of visits remind us that building a circular economy is not just about policy or infrastructure – it’s about people, partnerships, and that shared sense of purpose that unites all who make collection and recycling possible in South Africa.