Aimed at driving growth in glass recycling and empowering glass recyclers, the inclusive programme has three levels, says Ardagh.
Level 1 glass recyclers, who typically handle more than 10 tonnes per month, second-level glass recyclers, who recycle smaller loads and sell to first-level and informal traders, who typically make up third-level.
Thomas Shaw, supply chain executive of Ardagh Glass Packaging, Africa, says, "Initiating a new way of work for glass recyclers was never going to be an easy task, but we are pleased with the progress so far."
"The transition to a digital platform has proven to be remarkably smooth and many South African glass recyclers have embraced this innovative approach. The ease of working on the digital platform has significantly contributed to the adoption of this new way of working, as has the efficient nature of the platform," says Shaw.
According to Ardagh, in a six-month period (August 2023 to January 2024), the company's glass recycling depot at its Clayville facility in Gauteng received cullet tonnage close to 278 000. Of this, 35% or 97 050 was transacted on money4glass. In the Western Cape, at the company's Bellville facility, the total cullet tonnage received was 50 848, with 12.7% of this transacted on money4glass.
Shaw adds, "There is, however, still plenty of room for growth, and we'd like to remind glass recyclers of the compelling incentives available on the money4glass programme. There are several incentives and subsidies that can be paid to qualifying recyclers to help drive growth in glass recycling in South Africa."
In 2021, the South African government enacted the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. EPR is a producer-focussed mechanism that aims to reduce waste by ensuring that producers of products take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and packaging.
The intention is to increase recycling, thus decreasing dependency on new raw materials, and to ensure the effective and efficient management of end-of-life products, says Ardagh.
The BanQu technology used by money4glass will assist Ardagh to collate data that can be used for EPR Plan audits, while at the same time reducing the ever-present risk of fraud — driving both recycling and transformation in the glass recycling industry, the company adds.
"We are pleased to add that during this half-year period, the incentives paid by our industry (Ardagh Glass Packaging and The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC)) amounted to almost R5-million in Gauteng and just over R1-million in the Western Cape. This proves that prioritising sustainability not only benefits the environment but also grows the economy," Shaw says.
Sifiso Ngobese, owner of Unconventional Waste Solutions in Germiston, Gauteng says his business has grown from using one truck in 2012 to the point of soon purchasing a third truck. Since joining money4glass, he has seen enormous growth in tonnage — from 150 tonnes to 500 tonnes.
He appreciates the transparency of the money4glass process and finds the geo-location option handy to use when locating the glass collection point. He also enjoys the fact that he can easily transact on his mobile phone, according to Ardagh.
The founder and CEO of Mihula Holdings, an Emalahleni-based recycling business, Amilia Mkhonza says, "Our business focuses on recycling glass thanks to the many benefits offered through the money4glass initiative."
"One of the biggest benefits is that the price paid for glass increases with volume; the more we collect, the more we can earn. Glass recycling is also growing nicely for our business compared to other recyclables, mostly because of the incentives we can earn on money4glass," adds Mkhonza.
"We are excited about the ongoing progress and the array of opportunities that money4glass offers the glass recycling community. We appeal to all levels of glass recyclers to join and become part of the solution. We look forward to witnessing the growth of money4glass as it paves the way for a greener future," concludes Shaw.