Effectiveness of Post-Consumer Metal Packaging Recovery Practices in South Africa

Abstract

The South African packaging industry’s economic trends, together with the 184,000 tons of metal packaging placed on the market in 2022, highlight major socio-economic and socio-political challenges in the collection, recovery, and recycling of post-consumer metal packaging. A Circular Economy approach shifts from the linear “take-make-use-throw” model toward one that minimises environmental impact and keeps aluminium and ferrous materials circulating within the economy. In 2022, South Africa recovered 53.48% (98,403 tons) of post-consumer metal packaging, falling 5.52% below the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment target, with projections suggesting the gap may widen to 9.19%. Continued underperformance may lead to penalties that threaten business sustainability within the metal packaging value chain. The study used qualitative interviews with converters, brand owners, and recyclers to evaluate South Africa’s post-consumer metal packaging recovery system, revealing key challenges, opportunities, and industry perspectives through thematic analysis. Results show that inefficiencies in collection and recycling systems, inadequate infrastructure, weak policy support, and limited incentives for informal collectors continue to constrain recovery performance. The study recommends a harmonised recovery model, including legislative refinements to integrate buy-back centres, recyclers, and re-melters into the EPR framework, supported by advanced technologies, deposit return schemes, and consumer awareness initiatives to strengthen recovery rates and data accuracy.