PETCO, the PET Recycling Company (Pty) Ltd, will be hosting the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisation (EPRO) for their first General Meeting to take place on African soil in Cape Town on the 20th of November.

In order to maximize the opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices with regards to waste management, recycling, the green economy and packaging initiatives, a global colloquium with leaders in the recycling and waste management industries will take place on Thursday, 21 November 2013.

The colloquium titled “Global Partnerships for a Sustainable Recycling Sector:  Sharing. Dialogue. Action” will see 15 international speakers paired with 15 local industry leaders sharing their views on the waste management and recycling economy, trends, legislative tools, technical innovation and more.

According to Cheri Scholtz, CEO of PETCO, EPRO is an association of the national organisations charged with organising and promoting recycling and recovery of plastics throughout Europe.  PETCO is an Associate Member of EPRO and the only African country represented. PETCO is also a member of the Global Alliance for Recycling and Sustainable Development (GARSD) – an alliance of countries including Mexico, Thailand, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia promoting sustainable waste management in developing countries.

“Both platforms are important portals for the exchange of ideas, innovation and learning for South Africa. Our association with these international bodies affords us the opportunity to learn from international best practices, as well as have a say on decisions that could ultimately impact global markets, legislation and trends, decisions that have a direct influence on the future of recycling and waste management here at the southern tip of Africa, where we have our own unique set of challenges”, Scholtz says.

“It is unlikely that we will ever again have so many international experts on our shores at the same time,” Scholtzsays.  To this end, PETCO is inviting all industry partners and other interested parties to attend the full-day conference that will be taking place at The Pavillion, V&A Waterfront, on Thursday 21 November 2013.

The conference enjoys the support of the South Africa’s Recovery Action Group (RAG) members, whose members include Collect-a-Can, The Glass Recycling Company, Hulamin Limited, Packaging Council of South Africa, Paper Recycling Association of South Africa, PETCO, PlasticsISA, Polyco, the SA Plastics Recycling Organisation and the Polystyrene Council.

“We are hoping to see representatives of national and provincial government, municipalities and local authorities, waste management companies, collectors, sustainability practitioners, brand owners, retailers and packaging designers, NGO’s, cooperatives, industry associations, academics and their students participate in discussions and share ideas, as well as make use of the opportunity to network and pose their questions during two debates that have been included in the programme,” Scholtz says.

“We look forward to a conference that will see global thought leaders meet and interact with their South African counterparts for a time of joint learning, sharing and inspiring each other to action that will cause a ripple effect around the world for generations to comein line with our colloquium tagline sharing, dialogue, action,” concludesScholtz.