Cities compete in November glass recycling drive
Communities, schools and businesses are encouraged to join TGRC’s annual challenge, which aims to show how small daily actions can create a major environmental impact nationwide.
The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) has launched its #GlassRecyclingChallenge 2025, calling on Randburg residents to help collect 2254012kg of glass throughout November. The campaign runs across Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town and aims to show how small, everyday actions can make a meaningful difference to the environment.
Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of TGRC, said, “Last year’s challenge saw strong participation from communities, schools, restaurants and businesses, with hundreds of kilograms of glass collected nationwide.
TGRC now hopes to surpass that achievement by encouraging even more people to take part this year. I cannot confirm last year’s exact total, as no independently verified figure was provided.”
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Jhetam explained that glass remains one of the most sustainable packaging materials in the world because it is 100% recyclable and can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality. However, a large number of bottles and jars still end up in landfills each year.
The challenge seeks to change this by making recycling simple, accessible and fun.
Public glass banks are available at shopping centres, schools and community areas across Randburg. Participants only need to collect their used glass containers and drop them off at their nearest bank.
Jhetam stated that each contribution helps cities climb the overall leaderboard, ‘although I cannot confirm how the leaderboard will be measured, as no detailed scoring method was provided’.
To add some excitement, TGRC is offering R5 000 spot prizes. Anyone who posts photos or videos of their recycling efforts on social media using the hashtag #GlassRecyclingChallenge stands a chance to win. The organisation will also share updates throughout the month to spark friendly competition between the participating cities.
TGRC highlights that glass recycling also supports South Africa’s circular economy by creating income opportunities for collectors and small-scale entrepreneurs. Jhetam said that every bottle recycled helps reduce landfill waste, saves energy and supports livelihoods, but he cannot independently confirm the number of jobs linked to glass recycling.
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Jhetam added, “Recycling glass is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can protect our environment and support sustainable communities. Every jar or bottle recycled goes back into the production cycle, saving energy, conserving natural resources, and reducing landfill waste.
Through this challenge, we’re showing that sustainability isn’t just a corporate goal; it’s something every South African can do from their own home.”
How residents can take part:
Drop off glass bottles and jars at a TGRC public glass bank.
Locate the nearest bank using https://theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za/glass-banks-new/
Share recycling activities on social media using #GlassRecyclingChallenge to enter the prize draw.
Encourage family, friends, colleagues and schools to join.
TGRC is encouraging all South Africans to ‘think before they throw’ and help make 2025 the year the country reaches a new glass recycling record.
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