Polyco, in partnership with the Swellendam Municipality, has officially launched the town's first dedicated buy-back centre - an important milestone in expanding the circular economy through accessible recycling infrastructure and strengthening local waste management systems.
The launch was attended by Swellendam Mayor Francois du Rand, local councillors, Waste and Environmental Manager Johan van Niekerk and project partners, including DZIKO Projects and waste reclaimers from the CWP WasteNot Recycling project.
Situated next to the municipal Bontebok landfill site, the new facility builds on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalised earlier this year between Polyco and the municipality, which aims to tackle illegal dumping, expand recycling infrastructure and generate economic opportunities.
The centre will serve as a central hub for collection, sorting and community engagement, improving how recyclable materials are recovered and managed across the region.
Waste reclaimers will receive PPE, trolleys and bags to support safer and more efficient work, while residents gain access to formal recycling infrastructure for the first time. The facility also features a Packa-Ching mobile trailer that will extend collection services to surrounding townships and smaller communities within the Swellendam municipal boundary.
Polyco and the municipality will track material volumes using the trailer's weigh-pay system, supported by long-term agreements that ensure continued collaboration on community clean-up and waste reduction initiatives.
This project also marks a first for Polyco, introducing a fully built-from-scratch buy-back centre that moves beyond upgrading existing sites.
'This launch represents a proud moment for Polyco because it reflects what is possible when committed partners share a vision for long-term environmental and social impact,' said Polyco CEO Patricia Pillay.
'Swellendam is one of South Africa's most historic towns and an important tourist destination, which makes it the ideal place to introduce a full-scale buy-back centre developed from the ground up.'
As the only buy-back centre of its kind in Swellendam, the facility is expected to stimulate income generation, reduce pressure on the landfill and build a culture of recycling across the municipality.
'The establishment of this buy-back centre is a major step forward for waste management and community upliftment in Swellendam. Our MOU with Polyco has already demonstrated tangible benefits, from school engagement during Recycling Week to infrastructure that empowers local reclaimers,' added Swellendam Executive Mayor, Councillor Francois du Rand.
'We look forward to building on this momentum and ensuring that this centre becomes a long-term asset for our municipality and its residents.'
As one of the country's leading Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), Polyco has invested more than R300 million into South Africa's plastics recycling and collection sector, supporting 216 projects since the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in 2022.
The partnership between Polyco, DZIKO Projects and the Swellendam Municipality underscores the essential role of collaboration in improving waste management infrastructure and advancing South Africa's EPR framework.
Also read: