Ortlepp, new chairman of Polystyrene Packaging Council

The new office bearers for the PSPC are Ivan Ortlepp of CibaPac (chairman), Rowan le Roux of Polyoak Packaging (vice chairman), and Ken Morris of MPact (finances). The technical members of the PSPC are Elana de Goede, supported by committee members Brent Hean, Ian Edwards, Anton Maingaard and Adri Spangenberg. Anton Maingaard of Mainpack and Neale Gordon of Courtney Producst were also welcomed as new members of the board. Adri Spangenberg remains the director of PSPC.

The PSPC was originally formed in 2007 with the aim of setting in place the necessary resources and mechanisms to deal with projects that enhance the reputation of polystyrene packaging.

Recycling remains a key focus area

Finding ways to effectively collect and recycle contaminated post-consumer polystyrene will continue to be one of the PSPC's key areas of focus during the next few years. With more than 50 000 tons of expanded and high impact polystyrene being converted in South Africa annually for the food packaging and building industry, the PSPC sees it as being vitally important to increase its footprint of polystyrene collections around the country and improve recycling efforts once the polystyrene food containers and packaging material have left the hands of the consumer.

Currently, approximately 11% of used polystyrene is being recycled in South Africa and used for the manufacture of photo frames, seedling trays, clothing hangars and stationery. "We have exciting plans on the table that will revolutionise the polystyrene recycling industry and increase both the value and the demand for used polystyrene in our country. However, we will continue to support the local plastic industry's call for separation at source to ensure cleaner, less contaminated materials from the domestic waste stream and to develop new markets for recycled materials, as plastics recycling is driven by demand," Ortlepp says.

Industry's contribution is significant

"Polystyrene has a considerable contribution to make to the life of the consumer, be it in the form of fast food packaging, protective packaging or in the form of rigid packaging. As an industry, we contribute significantly to job creation, economic growth, employment and convenient living without sacrificing our environmental responsibilities and obligations. We look forward to a highlight year in the history of the South African polystyrene industry," he concludes.