HomePET Knowledge BaseWhy PET Remains the Most Practical Sustainable Packaging Choice in South Africa

Why PET Remains the Most Practical Sustainable Packaging Choice in South Africa

2025-07-02

While biodegradable bottles are often promoted as environmentally superior, real-world conditions in South Africa paint a different picture. In practice, recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) continues to offer the most sustainable and scalable solution for the bottled water industry. Its recyclability, established recovery network, and economic viability position PET as a cornerstone of the local circular economy.

Proven Track Record: PET Recycling Success in South Africa

PET has a mature and efficient recycling system in place. In 2023, South Africa achieved a 64% collection rate and a 60% recycling rate for PET beverage bottles—both surpassing national recycling targets. According to PETCO, the industry's producer responsibility organization, these efforts led to the diversion of over 64,000 cubic meters of waste from landfills and prevented nearly 314,500 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Recycled PET (rPET) also holds strong market demand, fueling new applications in textiles and packaging. Collectors and recyclers benefit directly—over R300 million was paid out for post-consumer PET in 2023, supporting waste-pickers, entrepreneurs, and small recycling businesses.

The Compostable Myth: Why Bioplastics Fall Short

Despite their green image, so-called biodegradable or compostable bottles have major limitations in the South African context:

Lack of infrastructure: Industrial composting facilities required for their breakdown do not exist in South Africa. These materials won’t degrade under typical landfill or home composting conditions.
Environmental downsides: As they degrade, many compostable plastics release CO₂ and fragment into microplastics—exacerbating pollution rather than solving it.
Recycling disruption: When mixed into PET recycling streams, compostable plastics can contaminate entire batches, leading to waste of otherwise recyclable materials and economic loss for recyclers.

Legal Framework Favors PET

South Africa's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation requires all packaging producers to register with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and contribute to accredited waste management schemes. PET bottlers—including many SANBWA members—actively participate in PETCO's programs, meeting recycling and design-for-recyclability obligations.

In contrast, biodegradable bottle producers face an unclear regulatory path. Without proper processing infrastructure and EPR contributions, these alternatives may bypass critical legal and environmental safeguards.

Furthermore, misleading eco-labeling remains a concern. The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has yet to certify any compostable bottles, despite the introduction of standards. This lack of oversight risks consumer confusion and greenwashing.

Conclusion: Keep PET in the Loop

In South Africa’s real-world setting, recyclable PET remains the most responsible packaging option for bottled water and other beverages. With an established recycling ecosystem, strong material value, and industry-wide compliance, PET supports genuine sustainability—not just good intentions.

As the packaging industry continues its transition toward a circular economy, businesses and policymakers must focus on what works within local realities. For now, that means staying the course with PET—a recyclable material that delivers environmental, economic, and social value at scale.

🔗 Source (original reporting): CBN News – Why South Africa's Bottled Water Industry Stands by PET