SA reflects well on glass recycling

THE Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) is proud to announce that South Africans have, through their on-going commitment, increased the national glass recycling rate to 40.6 per cent. According to the company’s CEO, Shabeer Jhetam, more than one billion bottles were recycled last year and as a result approximately 222 000 tons of carbon emissions were reduced. “We are excited to see that everyday South Africans continue to make the effort to recycle, reuse and even return glass for refilling. Since the company began its campaign to increase recycling seven years ago, there has been a phenomenal 230 per cent increase,” said Jhetam. The increase in the national glass recycling rate also means that every glass product manufactured in South Africa contains 40 per cent recycled glass. Glass is made from natural substances, therefore it has the potential to be endlessly recycled – making it an environmentally sustainable packaging material. Jhetam also reported that South Africa is competing strongly against international recycling nations, as the US’s glass recycling rate, for example, has remained static for the past 10 years at 36.9 per cent. “We have noted that in many of our provinces it is clear that the lower income groups are those who are truly investing their time in glass collection for recycling. Many individuals earn an informal livelihood by selling bulk quantities of glass to be recycled by the glass manufacturers. While it is incredibly positive that so many recognise the value of glass, it is disheartening to note that many middle to upper class residents are not currently making an effort to separate and recycle their glass at a glass bank,” said Jhetam. Glass can easily be recycled by taking glass bottles and jars to a ‘glass bank’ in one’s community. Alternatively residents can unload their recycled glass at petrol stations, shopping centres and schools with recycling points.