The recycling industry plays a vital role in sustainable development in South Africa, particularly with respect to the environment and job creation.
Mpact Recycling, formerly Mondi Recycling, is South Africa’s largest paper recycler, with seven of its own operations in major centres around the country and 42 buy-back centres. It also supports 67 independent dealers throughout the country.
“Mpact Recycling is by far the biggest paper recycler in South Africa and we recover approximately 450 000 tonnes of paper each year nationally,” says John Hunt, MD of Mpact Recycling.
Mpact, which Mpact Recycling is part of, demerged from the Mondi Group and listed separately on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in July last year. “We have a long heritage of recycling, having been in the business since 1975,” says Hunt. “The recycling business is integral to our business model because the raw materials which form part of Mpact’s paper packaging business begin with the nation’s recycled paper.”
Not only does recycling have long-term implications for the environment by reducing the impact of landfill sites as well as decreasing the need to import raw materials, it also creates jobs in the industry.
“Sustainability is key to our business; this includes contributing to the economy of the country through job creation,” states Hunt. “Through a social entrepreneurship empowerment model we partner with local entrepreneurs to help collect recycled paper for us.”
Recycling paper, including cardboard, old newspapers, magazines or schoolbooks is a simple process that everyone can help with, and which has an impact on the future of our country in many ways.
Contact details for Mpact:
Johannesburg: 011 538 8600
Cape Town: 021 931 5106
Durban: 031 274 6600
Richards Bay: 035 751 1722
Notes to editors:
Mpact is a leading southern African paper and plastics packaging group with revenues of R6.2bn in 2011. Mpact employs 3,500 people at 29 sites, of which 22 are manufacturing sites. Mpact earns approximately 10% of its sales outside of South Africa. It also has plants in Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Mpact has the number one market position in corrugated packaging, recycled-based cartonboard and containerboard, recovered paper collection, PET preforms, styrene trays and plastic jumbo bins. These accounted for approximately 90% of its revenue in 2011.
Issued by:
FTI Consulting – Strategic Communications
Lianne Osterberger +27 (0) 11 214 2414 / +27 (0)83 27 27 313
Chloe Webb +27 (0) 11 214 2421/ +27 (0)83 305 0144
On behalf of:
Mpact Limited
Deborah Chapman
Communications Manager, Mpact +27 (0) 11 994 5500 / +27 (0)76 650 4155