1. PET Recovery and Recycling
PET Recovery Stations
In partnership with local authorities, schools, the Plastics Federation of SA and NGO’s, 65 PET recovery stations have been established around South Africa:
- 33 in Gauteng
- 15 in Cape Town
- 9 in Durban
- 8 in Tshwane
Separation at Source
A number of separation at source projects were facilitated by PETCO together with the private sector:
- Loveday House
- VIP Payroll
- Afrisam (joint venture with WESSA, PSPC (Polystyrene Packaging Council) and Nampak
- Monsanto Business Park
2. Information and Communication
Exhibitions and Workshops
As part of the contract with the Plastics Federation of South Africa, a number of exhibitions and workshops are held where PET plastic recycling is highlighted :
- Marine and Coastal Educators Network (East London)
- SABC Education Fairs :
• Durban
• Johannesburg
• Polokwane
• Cape Town
- National Science Week (Free State Education Department)
- Grahamstown Science Festival
- Sasol TechnoX (Sasolburg)
- INSITE (International Science and Technology Exhibition) Johannesburg
- Pretoria Show
- WASTECON 2008
- PROPAK 2008 (Cape Town)
A number of opportunities arise for PETCO itself to spread the PET recycling message :
- Tembisa Recycling Awareness day – 400 collectors attended
- Lonehill Environmental Day – PET recycling awareness
- Global Day Of Climate Change – PETCO set up an information
booth in Alexander Township and explained the collection and
recycling process of PET
- Capricorn District Municipality - recycling workshop with Collect-
a-Can; Glass recycling Company; Nampak, five local
municipalities and some 300 collectors
Major Events
PETCO and partners support various events as part of their “greening” efforts. PETCO provides branded clean-up bags (up to 8000 per event), T Shirts, flags and banners, posters at registration and adverts in event programmes.
Events include :
- Cape Argus Cycle Race (March)
- Two Oceans Marathon (March)
- Knysna Oyster Festival (July) - marathon and cycle race
- 702 Walk the Talk (July) – Johannesburg walk
- Amashova Cycle Race (October) – Cycle race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban
- St John’s Rugby Festival
- Magaliesburg Festival
- Boksburg City stadium – Event over three days, 28 schools participate in event. About 6000 people attend. 5500 post-consumer PET bottles collected.
Electronic Newsletters
- “Enviromark”: PETCO is one of the contributors to the Plastic Federation’s Enviromark Newsletter which is published three
times per annum (April, July and September).
- “PET ReFresh”: PETCO distributes three issues of its own electronic newsletter.
- “It`s All About Plastics” Poster Booklet: 230 000 booklets were distributed at exhibitions, workshops and training sessions
Advertising and Public Relations
A focused PET advertising campaign “Did you Know?” featured in the media during 2008. The target market focused on consumers who are interested in recycling and green issues, but who may not know that PET is recyclable or what it is recycled into. Adverts were placed in Getaway, Wegbreek, Real Simple, Country Life, Garden & Home, Woman & Home, Rooi Rose and the Mail and Guardian. This raised awareness levels and led to a dramatic increase in the number of inquiries.
A number of general press releases are distributed and good coverage received across a broad spectrum of media.
Recycling Plant Visits
Packaging technologists from Pick ‘n Pay, project members of the Clinton Climate Initiative, and colleagues from the Recovery Action Group comprising Glass, Cans and Paper, were taken on recycling tours at recyclers Extrupet and Hosaf.
3. Clean Up Campaigns and Litter Awareness
- World Wetlands Day
- Clean-up of Kliptown (Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens) – 2000 participants
- Clean-up at Olievenhoutbosch and exhibition – 900 learners and educators
- National Water Week (March 2008) – 20 000 bags distributed with Rand Water, Department of Water Affairs and Delta Enviro Centre
- Tsedu Education Centre
- Apiesriver clean-up (Pretoria) with primary schools in the area
- Xtreme Park Makeover (Soweto)
- Clean-up of Diepkloof, Soweto – community members
- World Environment Week (June 2008) World Environment Day launch (5 June) at Mogale City (Krugersdorp)- clean-up by community and 2 schools (500 people)
- International Coastal Clean-Up and Clean-Up SA Week – September 2008 where 350 000 branded bags were handed out to KZN Wildlife, Keep Clean Organisations, Environmental Organisations, Government Departments and local Councils.
- An ICC clean-up day (underwater with 120 divers), Simonstown Harbour on the 19th September 2008.
- Westbury - Vukuzenzele Recycling and PETCO participated in a clean-up campaign in Westbury with school children – some 300 yellow bags of PET bottles were collected.
4. Education and Training
PETCO welcomes the opportunity of visiting schools, communities and environmental organizations to create awareness of plastics and PET Recycling.
Fantastic Plastics School Competition
PETCO is a proud sponsor along with the Plastics Federation, Buyisa-e-Bag and others. The exposure for PETCO includes 500 000 brochures distributed at exhibitions, advertising slots on SABC TV channels 1,2,3 and 11 national radio stations, as well as the SABC youth programme “Science for Life”. PETCO congratulates the 2008 winners: Rensu Theart, Daniel Rabe, Thendo Sigidi and Raksha Gosai who were announced during the International Coastal Clean-up day on 19 September in Cape Town
5. Joint Venture Projects with Industry
The following are some joint venture projects with industry :
- Signage and marketing material for Wasteplan kerbside collection projects in Cape Town
- Baling machine for Enviroman in Jeffrey’s Bay
- Baling machine for Cradock and surrounds |
