The Institute of Waste Management

Recycling

The National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act (26 of 2014) defines recycling as a process where waste is reclaimed for further use, which process involves the separation of waste from a waste stream for further use and the processing of that separated material as a product or raw material

Steps Involved in the Recycling Process

Collection of enough materials to make it worth going on to the next stage
Transportation to a temporary storage point (drop-off or buy-back centre)
Sorting, cleaning, compacting, baling and preparation of materials for sale to a recycling company or processing centre
Processing of materials to a quality that makes them suitable for use as a raw material
Transportation of the cleaned reclaimed material to the manufacturer
Re-use of the recovered material as raw material to produce a new product
Purchase of the new product made partially or wholly from recycled materials

Members of the general public are usually only involved in the first two steps, with entrepreneurs being involved in the first three steps

Benefits of Collecting Materials for Recycling

It saves valuable landfill space - less waste to be disposed of
It saves energy - making new products from recycled materials requires less energy
It saves natural resources - recycling reduces the demand for foreign and domestic raw materials and natural resources, e.g., fuel, trees and metals
Recycling existing materials can reduce manufacturing pollutants
Prevents littering
Creates a cleaner environment and reduces the negative environmental impact of waste.
Transporting waste uses resources and causes pollution.
Incorrect handling of hazardous waste can result in harm to humans, animals and the environment
It provides opportunities for job creation

Start Recycling

Before starting any type of collection scheme

Download:

VISIT the National Recycling Forum website

Recyclable Materials and the Contact Details for Recycling Companies

MATERIAL	COMPANY WEBSITE	Tel no. and e-mail
CANS Aluminium/tin-plated beverage cans Food, aerosol and paint cans	Collect-a-Can	(0)11 466 2939 info@collectacan.co.za
GLASS Glass soft drink, beer and wine bottles Glass food jars	The Glass Recycling Company	0861 245277 info@tgrc.co.za
PAPER Magazines and brochures Newspapers Office paper and envelopes Paper packaging and cardboard Paper gift wrap/boxes Beverage and liquid food cartons	RecyclePaperZA	(0)11 803 5063 info@thepaperstory.co.za https://recyclepaper.co.za/
	Mpact Recycling	0800 022 112
	Neopak Recycling	(0)11 799 7111 meshack.mosiya@neopakrecycling
	Sappi ReFibre
	Gauteng & North West:	(0)13 741 3378
	Mpumalanga & Limpopo:	(0)13 741 3378
	W.Cape:	(0)21 550 9072
	Other provinces:	(0)21 982 2296
PLASTICS	Plastics\|SA	(0)11 314 4021 enquiries@plasticsSA.co.za
	PETCO	0860 147 738 info @petco.co.za
	POLYCO	(0)21 531 0647 lisl@polyco.co.za
	Polystyrene Packaging Council	(0)21 531 0647 Adri@polystyrenepackaging.co.za
	SA Vinyls Association	082 444 6866 info@savinyls.co.za
AEROSOLS Aluminium/tin-plated aerosol cans	Aerosol Manufacturing Association of SA	(0)11 440 8704 execdir@aerosol.co.za
CARTONS Beverage cartons Liquid food cartons	Tetra Pak South Africa	(0)11 570 3073 Agripa.Munyai@tetrapak.com
Electrical/Electronic Waste Office and ICT equipment Mobile phones Batteries Fluorescent lamps/tubes Consumer/entertainment electronics Leisure, sports, recreational equipment Electric and electronic tools Automatic issuing equipment Security & health care equipment Small/large household appliances	e-Waste Association of SA	(0)31 535 7146 info@ewasa.org
METALS Ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal	Metal Recyclers Association of SA	info@mra.co.za
OIL Used motor oil	Rose Foundation	(0)21 448 7492 usedoil@iafrica.com
TYRES Passenger car/commercial vehicle Agricultural equipment Motorcycle Industrial and lift truck Earthmoving equipment Aircraft Other pneumatic tyres		+27 (12) 399 9871 wastebureau@environment.gov.za www.environment.gov.za Register for the supply of waste tyres for recycling,

DRUMS Steel drums Plastic drums Intermediate bulk containers	South African Industrial Container Reconditioners Association	0860 72 42 72
	RPMASA	0800 776 272 nfo@rpmasa.org.za