DANONE SOUTHERN AFRICA JOINS POLYSTYRENE ASSOCIATION OF SA
Pressure on producers to join a PRO
According to the Adri
Spangenberg, the Polystyrene Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Danone SA
is a major manufacturer of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) used in their yoghurt
tubs and has set an excellent example for other producers to follow with
regards to their commitment to Extended Producer Responsibility.
“The Polystyrene
Association of SA has had good success with getting the manufacturers of
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) on-board as members and to be supportive with our
various recycling projects which are aimed at keeping polystyrene packaging out
of the country’s landfills. In view of the recent developments with regards to
Government’s Section 28 call for the development of Industry Waste Management Plans
from the paper & packaging industry, electrical & electronic industry and lighting industry,
we have made concerted efforts to encourage HIPS producers to also sign up
with us as members,” Adri explains.
Developing end-markets for recycled yoghurt tubs
The Polystyrene Association of SA has developed various end-markets
that specifically use recycled yoghurt tubs made from HIPS and that bear the
number 6 polymer identification code at the bottom. One such an end-market is
the Tutu Desk initiative – a simple, portable and robust lap desk that children
can place on their laps for a stable writing platform, thereby creating a
dedicated ‘work zone’ whether they are sitting on the floor or on a chair.
“It requires approximately 1 kg of yoghurt tubs in weight to
manufacture one desk, and each one is designed to last the lifetime of the
child at school. The project falls under the patronage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
and the Polystyrene Association is privileged to have been part of this project
for the past six years via WESSA (Wildlife Education Schools of South Africa)
and its network of Eco-Schools who are also collecting yoghurt tubs that are
recycled into the lapdesks,” she says. Last year alone, more than 5 449 tons of
polystyrene was successfully recycled in South Africa through the Association’s
various recycling projects.
Showing a commitment to
sustainability
