Packa-Ching®

The Polyco-supported mobile separation-at-source collection business, Packa-Ching®, develops business enterprises who collect used recyclable packaging material from the public in low income and informal areas, areas that are often overlooked with regard to recycling. It has paid out a total of over R50 million and collected over 41 000 000 kilograms of recyclable packaging material.

Packa-Ching® aims to reduce the amount of recyclable waste entering landfills or being discarded in the environment and to increase collection and recycling rates in South Africa by showing that used recyclable packaging has a monetary value. Packa-Ching® collects used recyclable packaging material from the public in informal areas, areas that are often overlooked with regard to recycling education, recycling infrastructure and recycling services, and pays them for it.

Each kilogram of recyclable material brought to a Packa-Ching® unit is weighed and paid for via a cashless payment system. Only a standard cellphone is needed to use the service and receive these funds, making it accessible to everyone. The payments are enabled by a technology-based system called Weighpay, allowing the initiative to be mobile and cashless.

South Africa has unique social, economic and environmental conditions; and Packa-Ching® has been created to benefit all three spheres. It offers people an additional income source, helps to change behaviour towards used packaging and also helps to keep South Africa clean.

Polyco is grateful to Packa-Ching’s key sponsors, Shoprite (for the first 25 mobile units) and Sasol, for supporting the continued growth and roll out of Packa-Ching® across South Africa.