Do you want to reduce single use plastics in the transport and distribution of your products?
Plastics SA is joining forces with Circular City Labs (CCL) ina project funded through the German Government and implemented by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH). CCL’s overall objective is to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through waste prevention, by testing reusable packaging systems and strengthening the participation of women in the local circular economies.
Moreover, it aims at contributing to job creation and to bringing together stakeholders to explore a functional and inclusive circular economy and the viable potential of reusable plastics packaging.
What is meant by a Reusable Packaging System (RPS)?
RPS is a system whereby plastics packaging such as containers, bags, bottles etc. are returned from the consumer, cleaned, and subsequently used for the same purpose again. Therefore, returnable and reusable packaging needs to be supported by a functional reuse infrastructure that enables it to safely serve the same purpose repeatedly.
Reusable packaging systems are owned and managed by a reuse system operator, a pool system or the producers themselves, who manage its collection, cleaning, and subsequent refilling. To ensure that reuse containers are returned or collected, a deposit-refund or an incentive system is usually included.
Do you have a RPS idea or a solution that you want to test or pilot?
Any of the following are eligible to apply and submit their ideas and proposals for a plastics packaging concept which aims at the reduction of single use plastics packaging through the introduction of an economically viable reusable secondary plastics packaging system:
- Small, Medium and Large companies i.e. legal entities registered in South Africa;
- Non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entities (non-governmental organization, association, foundation, etc.);
- Ideally >50% women-owned or women-managed;
- Preferably operational in Gauteng;
- The only thing you have to do is to fill out the online application form (https://forms.gle/Edeie2S1viH61TH38), by 10 January 2025.
- What happens after submitting the application?
- The CCL project in SA includes the following stages:
- Initial selection of up to 10 businesses to participate in the CCL SA project;
- Delivery of structured training sessions covering pertinent topics such as circular economy principles with a focus on reusable packaging systems, and business model development;
- Facilitation of an idea competition among participating members;
- Evaluation and subsequent selection of three businesses for a dedicated acceleration module;
- Provision of tailored mentoring and coaching to the selected businesses;
- Presentation of business proposals centred on reusable packaging systems;
- Selection and allocation of funding for a minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 pilot initiatives;
- Support implementation and assessment of the piloted initiatives, by end of June 2025
- It is envisaged that the initial selection of businesses to participate in the programme and the structured training sessions will be completed before or by the end of February 2025.
- For more information:
- All interested applicants may contact Tony de Beer on tel or whatsapp +27 63 696 5132 or ccl@plasticssa.co.za.