On this World Environment Day 2025, under the global theme #BeatPlasticPollution, Polyco is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative that brings recycling full circle – even from the furthest reaches of the Earth.

In partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and Innocence and Sons Recycling, Polyco is supporting the removal, transport, and responsible recycling of waste from South Africa’s research bases in Antarctica and Marion Island – waste that is brought back aboard the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s polar supply and research vessel (see pictures here).

All waste generated at the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) research stations is meticulously sorted at source into recyclables (plastics, glass, paper, cans), general waste, organic waste, hazardous materials, and sewage (treated separately). In line with the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection, no waste is dumped or discarded in these sensitive ecosystems.

Once securely packaged, the waste is shipped back to Cape Town Harbour aboard the SA Agulhas II, where its journey continues into South Africa’s recycling economy.

“This project proves that even in the most remote and fragile environments, meaningful action to #BeatPlasticPollution is possible,” said Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco. “It’s a powerful demonstration of circularity in action showing that no place is too far, and no effort too small, when it comes to protecting our planet.”

Polyco’s project partner, Innocence and Sons Recycling, processes these materials using innovative mobile recycling tools like the Packa-Ching trailer. Once offloaded, recyclables are weighed, sorted, and fed back into the circular economy supporting job creation, reducing pollution, and enabling local environmental impact.

“This is recycling without borders,” added Innocence Smit, founder of Innocence and Sons. “We’re turning waste into worth and showing that even plastic from Antarctica can support livelihoods and drive sustainability here in South Africa.”

The project also includes a novel approach to food waste: frozen kitchen scraps from the polar stations are being repurposed as animal feed, further reducing landfill disposal and expanding the range of waste streams recovered.

“We’re proud to see growing collaboration across sectors to responsibly manage waste from even the most remote locations,” said Shiraan Watson, Chief Provisioning Admin Clerk at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. “The removal and repurposing of waste including frozen food waste now used as animal feed not only reduces pressure on landfill sites but also cuts costs for the department and benefits local communities. It’s a clear example of how innovative recycling partnerships can deliver environmental and economic value.”

This initiative builds on the broader work that Polyco is doing across the country to help South Africa transition toward a more inclusive and sustainable circular economy.

As a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), Polyco’s role is to help producers meet their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations. But more than that, we’re working to build a system where plastic retains value even after it’s used, value that can be returned to households, entrepreneurs, and informal workers.

Our Packa-Ching initiative proves what’s possible when the right incentives are in place. With 46 mobile and static buy-back centres operating across the country, we pay residents, especially informal waste pickers, for recyclable materials like plastic, metal, board and glass. To date, we’ve injected over R27 million into low-income communities through this programme alone.

As the world unites behind the call to #BeatPlasticPollution, Polyco’s message is clear: No place is too remote, and no waste is too small, to be part of the solution.

About Polyco South Africa

Polyco is a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) under South Africa’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. It invests in initiatives that transform waste into economic resources by expanding plastic packaging collection and recycling. Collaborating with stakeholders, Polyco advances recycling infrastructure and educates consumers on sustainable waste management.