The Norwegian Embassy and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance) are pleased to announce
the co-funding of a study to research the feasibility, cost, and impact of a proposed mandatory single
use beverage Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for South Africa. The study will be conducted by
University of the Western Cape (UWC) in association with Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd.
(Eunomia).
The overarching objective of this study is to determine what the likely impacts (costs and benefits) of
introducing a mandatory single use DRS would be in South Africa.
South Africa generates 2.4 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, or 41 kg per person, which is
higher than the global average of 29 kg per capita. Of this waste, PET beverage bottles are the most
leaked post-consumer plastic 1 . The benefits of existing DRS to manage this waste and significantly
increase collection and recycling rates as well as reduce littering are well established in a number of
developed markets globally.
Last year (August 2022) the Norwegian Embassy partnered with the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and Changing Markets to fund WWF’s research into existing stakeholder views
on a DRS for South Africa. This research determined that although there would be some potential
advantages in introducing a DRS there are also several remaining questions that need to be
answered.
This study’s research objectives and methodology are designed to provide answers to
those outstanding questions, taking into account the unique requirements and circumstances of
South Africa. These factors include its geography, the retail environment, a significant informal
sector, and the jobs that the proposed DRS could create both directly and indirectly, as well as
consideration of materials to be included and the risk of fraud.
Nicholas Kolesch, VP of Projects for the Alliance, comments, “Deposit Refund Schemes represent an
important solution model to realise value from plastic waste, however it is important to consider
local circumstances during implementation. The Alliance is pleased to support this study alongside
several other projects in South Africa aiming to bring an end to plastic waste and further the
development of a circular economy.”
The potential benefits of a DRS for South Africa:
Providing an effective and widely accepted method of increasing the collection rate of in-
scope beverage containers;
Development of a socially just, integrated DRS model;
Creation of healthy, green jobs and income opportunities for waste pickers;
Diversion of waste from landfill, reduced loss to the environment, and a reduction in
littering;
Improved quality of recyclate feedstock supporting the further development of the local
recycling industry;
Increased recycling and reduced carbon emissions.
UWC and Eunomia will work together on this study to assess the impacts (both positive and
negative) of the implementation of a DRS. UWC will bring their extensive local knowledge on
existing waste management practice and the informal sector whilst Eunomia bring their extensive
experience in designing and evaluating potential DRS across a wide range of different countries,
making them ideal study partners. The study also includes provision for waste picker surveys and
interviews with informal sector sales channels.
Contribution from stakeholders is key and their input is designed into all stages in the study,
including the establishment of a stakeholder Steering Group. This will include representation from
1 De Kock, L. 2022. Feasibility of a mandatory Deposit Return Scheme for beverage container packaging in South Africa:
Workshop report. WWF South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa.
The study’s funders as well as WWF South Africa, the Western Cape Government, the Department of
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and the UNEP Office in South Africa. In addition, the project will have a Technical Advisory Committee which will include a range of other stakeholder
organisations.
The study will span nine months and will culminate in a full Technical Report on the feasibility, cost
and impact of a proposed mandatory Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for South Africa.
