Randburg residents urged to support glass recycling initiative

The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC), which represents the country’s glass packaging industry as a producer responsibility organisation, highlighted that continued investment in recycling infrastructure and collection programmes is helping strengthen the country’s recycling value chain.

TGRC chief executive officer Shabeer Jhetam explained that the collaborative process between manufacturers, waste pickers, retailers and relevant stakeholders represents impactful extended producer responsibility, while protecting the environment by reducing waste. He further explained that glass bottles and jars can be recycled without losing their quality, and that recycling one tonne saves roughly 1.2t of raw materials by using recycled glass to make new bottles and jars, saving natural resources, reducing landfill waste and creating employment opportunities.

Read more: Recycle, reuse and reduce

In Randburg, TGRC has multiple glass banks where residents can drop off their empty glass bottles and jars. By using them, residents help conserve resources, reduce waste sent to landfill and support the wider glass recycling economy. These are voluntary recycling points and do not offer payment.
Jhetam shared the importance of glass recycling and how residents can make a meaningful contribution alongside the sustainable work the organisation is doing. “Approximately 60% of used glass packaging is diverted from South African landfills through the recycling of jars and bottles. Residents can assist by separating their glass bottles and jars from general household waste, taking them to a glass recycling bank or placing them aside for collectors to recycle.

Also read: Children recycle at Blairgowrie Primary

“They can also encourage their community – whether it is neighbours, residential complexes or businesses – to adopt consistent recycling practices. The key is consistency. When more residents participate, more glass can be recovered for recycling, helping reduce the volume of glass entering the waste stream,” said Jhetam.

Through its work, TGRC aims to encourage glass recycling, provide guidance and break the misconception that recycling makes little difference and that recycling glass is hard. Jhetam hopes this awareness will encourage residents to participate. “There are numerous benefits to recycling,” he said. “Recycling glass reduces the need for raw materials and can lower the energy required for manufacturing. Recycling saves glass from landfills and prevents litter and waste from destroying our natural environments. Also, recycling is simple. Simply set aside your recycling in a separate bin or box and either take it to a glass bank on your next shopping trip or put it aside for local collectors.

“You do not need to wash your glass. However, you can rinse food waste out of jars. You also do not need to sort your glass by colour. There is also a tendency to view recycling as solely the responsibility of municipalities or recycling companies. In reality, effective recycling requires participation from households.”

The company encourages residents to recognise that all glass jars and bottles hold value and can play a role in conserving natural resources, reducing waste and creating job opportunities. Residents interested in earning an income from glass recycling can contact TGRC on 073 809 8467, email info@tgrc.co.za or visit a local buy-back centre.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!