How to support the environment through responsible plastics recycling
Real sustainability
starts with you
Understanding PP #5 plastics
The future of plastic recycling is here
Talk recycling and most households in South Africa think glass, tin, cardboard and clear plastic like PET (water & soda bottles are good examples). Along with these important recyclables, is a lesser-known recyclable product – Polypropylene (PP #5).
PP #5 comes in 2 forms
Flexible PP products can bend and stretch while rigid PP products hold their shape, do not bend easily and are often container-type products featuring a lid.
PP #5 is perfect for reuse
and recycling
PP #5 offers home reuse for storing leftovers, organising small items, or crafting DIY projects. It can be recycled repeatedly for both domestic and industrial use.
Join us on our PP #5
journey
In 1995, we started a journey to become advocates for the reuse and recycling of PP #5. Today, we recycle thousands of tons of rigid PP#5 annually.
Meet the Möbius loop family
If it says 5 it's Polypropylene
The universally recognised Möbius loop is a family of symbols that indicate the type of polymer used in the production of different plastic packaging. Not all packaging can be recycled, however, rigid PP #5, is recyclable.
Where we find Polypropylene #5 waste for recycling
The below waste recovery channels have over the years yielded the equivalent of 237 football fields of rigid PP waste to be successfully recycled.
Municipal
Sort-at-source collection
Residents separate their recyclable materials at their homes before disposal.
Landfill
Site recoveries
Mining of waste dumped at landfill sites.
Informal
Waste Reclaimer collection
Individuals who collect recyclable materials in exchange for financial reward.
Non-profit
Environmental organisations
Collaborate through collection initiatives like the Litter Boom Project and Adopt A River.
Brand owner
Collection initiatives
Companies or brands take responsibility for the collection and recycling of their product packaging.
Did you know...
Thousands of informal Waste Reclaimers in South Africa earn an income that helps support their families by collecting and sorting PP #5 plastic for recycling.
Be responsible,
get involved
You and your family can play a real and meaningful role in contributing to the circular economy. Choose products from brands committed to sustainability and circular practices, support non-profit collection initiatives, and separate your PP #5 plastic at home for recycling. Or simply reuse them for another purpose.
What can I start doing today?
Reduce consumption, choose reusable products, properly recycle items at home, educate family and friends.
Get involved and support your local municipal recycling system, NGO waste initiatives and neighbourhood Waste Reclaimers.
