PAPER RECYCLING RATE CLIMBS

South Africa’s paper recycling rate reached 63.3% in 2025, up from 60% in 2024. Through paper mills, small recycling businesses and informal waste pickers, about 1.2 million tons of paper and packaging are diverted from landfill each year and returned to the recycling loop, where they are used again to produce new paper products such as tissue and packaging.

PAMSA (Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa) says that progress has been made but there is still room for improvement when it comes to consumers keeping recyclable materials in circulation. Office paper and packaging, cardboard boxes and grocery bags are highly recyclable and should be put out for informal collectors. Every tonne of recycled paper saves about three cubic metres of landfill space and if baled, the recovered material would be enough to cover 154 rugby fields or 1438 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Items such as office paper, cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, magazines, newspapers, milk and juice cartons can all be recycled. Paper and cardboard should be kept separate from wet or food waste so they remain suitable for recycling. Remove plastic windows, tape, staples or other non-paper components where possible, before recycling. Consumers can place recyclables out for neighbourhood collectors, use municipal recycling programmes where available, or drop off at recycling centres or shopping mall recycling points.

www.pamsa.co.za