The Polystyrene Packaging Council Of South Africa (PSPC)

The Polystyrene Packaging Council of South Africa (PSPC) was established in 2007 with the aim of representing the polystyrene industry in the country in promoting polystyrene as a sustainable and safe packaging material.

The Council provides information and education regarding polystyrene as packaging material, addresses safety concerns and actively participates in the creation of large scale recycling projects that will ensure continued recycling of the material.

The PSPC Promotes Positive Awareness about Polystyrene

Millions of South Africans use polystyrene daily without ever thinking of the benefits associated with the material. Only a small portion of the material consists of actual material since the largest portion is made up of air. With its stable qualities, heat retention abilities, strength and ability to keep its shape, in addition to hygiene qualities, the material is perfectly suited for food packaging. Numerous fast food outlets, soup kitchens, and camps use such to package food.

Job Creation

The Polystyrene Packaging Council of South Africa is committed to the building of awareness regarding the industry’s contribution to job creation and economic growth in the country. The PSPC is well aware of the need for responsible usage of the product and the recycling of the material. With jobs created from the initial production stages right through to repackaging, distribution, delivery, and recycling, the industry has become a major job supplier in South Africa.

Structuring of the Council

The Polystyrene Packaging Council of SA consists of members made up from the suppliers and packaging converters as well as recyclers in addition to the Plastics Federation and the Expanded Polystyrene Association (EPSASA). The PSPC endeavours to work with all role players, and where necessary, forms partnerships with various industries to promote the material.

Funding

The Council’s work is funded by the members by means of industry levies while it is furthermore focused on gaining additional funding to support recycling projects in the country.

Main Objectives

The Council is working with industry to develop guidelines and standards for the production, distribution, usage and recycling of the versatile material. It furthermore aims to promote international best practices regarding the above. As part of its objectives to inform the public about the usages, benefits and recycling potential of the material, the Council also works on informing legislative bodies to ensure that law making will not affect the product negatively.

Environment and Recycling

As an industry representative, the Council endeavours to promote sustainable recycling practices which will not only reduce the environmental footprint, but also littering and cost of cleanup. Such recycling projects are effective job creators and involve from the end-consumer to the recycler and the manufacturer. Through recycling, the cost of distribution is also minimized ensuring long term benefits to the economic growth of the country. For such to work, awareness must be created about the value of recycling and first and foremost the value of polystyrene and industry for South Africa.

The Polystyrene Packaging Council of South Africa thus has an important role to play in the development of the industry.