Transitioning from conventional plastic to more sustainable alternative materials: Evidence from South Africa

Abstract

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in partnership with UNIDO and the University of the Witwatersrand, with funding from the Japanese government, undertook research to identify and implement opportunities for sustainable alternative materials, including biodegradable plastic in South Africa. The project aims are twofold: 1) to develop an action plan to support sustainable transition to alternative materials and 2) to strengthen plastic recycling through encouraging waste separation at source and integration of informal waste collectors in a circular economy. This paper reports on the findings from research activities to determine the most appropriate alternative materials for consideration when transitioning to more sustainable alternatives. The results include that of the LCA study, availability of end-of-life treatment options for alternative materials, demonstration of the identified technologies/materials, the potential to produce alternative materials locally, and the Action Plan for South Africa to make the transition.