Government has recently introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations into South Africa’s waste management regime, which are intended to ensure the effective and efficient management of end-of-life products. This means producers will be responsible for the entire life cycle of their products and packaging.
EPR will play a critical role in minimising waste, ensuring sustainable waste management and supporting South Africa’s transition to a circular economy.
EPR legislation, which was gazetted in April 2021, requires producers such as Consol to become or join an industry Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). Consol has, since 2005, been a member of The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC), which is a voluntary EPR scheme for glass packaging. TGRC is currently establishing itself as a PRO in line with the new regulations, which will come into effect from 5 November 2021, and Consol will continue as a member of the new organisation.
Consol fully supports the EPR initiative and others aimed at building more sustainable value chains and circular economies in South Africa.
