PETCO, in partnership with Tetra Pak®, is stepping up efforts to enhance the collection and recycling of liquid board packaging (LBP) across South Africa. As part of its extended producer responsibility (EPR) commitments, the organization has launched recent community activations in the Free State and Western Cape to encourage the recovery of used beverage cartons.
In the Free State, PETCO engaged directly with waste pickers at a local landfill site, aiming to increase awareness around the value of collecting LBP. “The number of sponsored bulk bags filled with these cartons on our visit was encouraging,” the organization reported, noting the positive impact of the outreach on local waste collection practices.
Further south, a similar activation in Bishop Lavis in the Western Cape saw a steady return of LBP, despite an earlier seasonal drop in collection volumes. A local waste picker who returned the next day with more cartons earned a mobile phone as a reward for his efforts. “Thanks to our efforts to build a value chain for LBP, collection volumes are increasing and collectors are boosting incomes,” PETCO said.
These initiatives form part of PETCO’s broader strategy to promote recycling in communities through education and support, helping meet South Africa’s EPR recycling targets. “We trust that this will continue as more collectors start viewing LBP’s collection as a viable source of income in addition to the other recyclable packaging that they collect,” the organization added.
By collaborating with industry members and directly engaging with communities, PETCO hopes to establish a stronger and more sustainable collection network for LBP across the country.