The South African plastics recycling industry continues to make strides in creating a circular economy for plastics. Recent statistics from Plastics SA revealed that plastics recycling increased by 3% in 2025 to 485-thousand tonnes, across the packaging, building, construction, agriculture, mining, automotive and consumer goods sectors.
While the use of virgin polymer decreased by 2.8% and domestic plastic consumption decreased in 2025, plastics recycling and the use of recycled materials increased. Circular plastics content in new products now sits at 22%, compared to 16% 10 years ago. These statistics highlight South Africa as a leading performer in plastics recycling and the largest plastics recycler in Southern Africa.
The plastics recycling industry has shown strong growth over more than a decade with the domestic consumption of recyclate growing by 62% over the past ten years. These figures show the industry commitment and investment in the creation of a circular plastics economy. More than 30% of recycled plastics is used in the packaging industry. Packaging remains the main growth area for the plastics sector with demand for polypropylene (PP), PET and HDPE for the packaging industry remaining strong. In addition, plastics recycling creates an estimated 111-thousand income generating opportunities across the entire value chain.
Visitors to this year’s Propak Cape exhibition, taking place in Cape Town in October, can expect to see and experience the latest in sustainable plastics and recycling solutions. Propak Cape takes place once every three years in the Western Cape, offering a focused, three-day platform for innovation, collaboration and industry engagement.
When properly collected, reused and recycled, plastic packaging can remain a valuable resource beyond its initial product lifespan, helping to reduce the demand for virgin materials and the environmental impacts associated with producing new materials. Plastics are one of the few materials that retain their value beyond their initial use. Their ability to be reused and recycled into new products makes them a valuable resource, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and helping to protect the environment.
Plastic packaging also protects product contents, preventing waste and reducing the carbon and water footprints associated with manufacturing. Its lightweight nature enables more efficient transport, generating fewer carbon emissions than heavier packaging materials. Plastic is also highly durable, reducing spoilage and breakage during transport and handling.
In store, plastic packaging can significantly extend shelf life, helping to reduce food waste. It protects food, medicines and household cleaning products from damage, contamination, moisture and UV radiation. Lightweight, resilient, flexible, hygienic and innovative, plastic is an effective material for the processing, storage, transport, protection and preservation of products. Across the product life cycle, plastic packaging can help lower greenhouse gas emissions and offer a smaller environmental footprint than some alternatives.
The programme of free-to-attend seminars hosted by the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA) will also have sustainability as an overarching thread during the three days. These sessions will deliver insights into key packaging and processing trends aligned with the theme days New Products and Technology, Sustainability and Automation. Producer Responsibility Organisations will be part of the programme.
Printing SA’s half-day industry conference will provide additional value through expert-led discussions and knowledge sharing, and the FTASA Print Excellence Awards will also take place during Propak Cape.
Propak Cape, which incorporates Pro-Plas Expo, together with Print Expo, Pro-Label Expo and FoodPro is an opportunity for visitors to see the latest innovations, products, technologies and solutions in packaging, food processing, plastics, printing and labelling.
Propak Cape 2026 will take place at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) from 27 to 29 October 2026. The event is supported by IPSA, Packaging SA, Plastics SA and Printing SA.
For further information, visit www.propakcape.co.za.