While the packaging industry is working toward the recent Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations stipulating that 30% of recycled material should be used in the production of packaging, there needs to be a clear distinction that this can only be done in non-food applications, says the African Polystyrene Industry Alliance (APIA).

APIA director Adri Spangenberg explains that the regulations help ensure that the industry has legislation that supports recycling targets, while instilling a heightened awareness of the importance of sustainable practices.

As such, the APIA is in support of these transitions to recycled content when it is used in the correct applications.

Worldwide, recycling technology has primarily been developed for polyethylene terephthalate applications, with organisations such as European joint industry initiative Styrenics Circular Solutions since developing technology for food-approved packaging using recycled content for polystyrene too.

Spangenberg reiterates that, where the EPR regulations stipulate recycled content is to be included in packaging, the APIA urges that, in the South African context, this can only be done for non-food applications such as insulation, for now.

“We believe that the technology to use recycled content in food packaging will be available in South Africa soon,” she states, citing a technology developed by Canadian recycling centre Polystyvert, which can upcycle any polystyrene, even contaminated polystyrene, back into saleable, food-approved packaging material.

“This technology has been a game changer in Europe and the US where recycled content for polystyrene food applications is already a reality,” states Spangenberg.

She notes that polystyrene is a relatively easy plastic to return and recycle, into, for example, yogurt cups. However, to ensure that there is economic efficiency, the recycling process would need to be done at scale.

The Effects of ERP Implementation

In 2023, through work done with registered producer responsibility organisation the EPR Waste Association of South Africa, the APIA was able to reach a 31% recycling rate, reaching EPR targets.

“This was a huge achievement as our members are now able to claim recyclability on their packaging. This ensures that the consumer knows that polystyrene can and is being recycled,” highlights Spangenberg.

On the other hand, access to polystyrene from consumers and industry remains a challenge, owing to the lack of separation at source in South Africa.

The APIA says it is important to know the source of raw materials, and therefore, its members can voluntarily sign up for APIA’s Food Compliance Responsibility Initiative (FCRI).

The FCRI has members of APIA sign and pledge that they will only use food-approved raw materials in the production of each of their food application products.

The most pressing issue is the inaccessibility to separated source material, and as such the APIA encourages consumers and the industry to recycle polystyrene rather than having it travel to landfills.

Despite the proven success of EPR initiatives through take-back schemes and more drop-off sites countrywide, there is a need to progress both “to the next level”.

Spangenberg concludes that, with South Africa’s reliance on polystyrene as an economical packaging material, and with a guaranteed end market for recycling, APIA is in a fortunate position, as it has a material with a “great” life-cycle assessment and an end market for recycling that will not have to rely on exports, as many other industries do.