Environmental
In our commitment to environmental stewardship, the Master Plastics Group has, in collaboration with its supply chain, adopted a comprehensive approach to enhancing the recyclability and circularity of the products we produce and how we produce them, ensuring a positive impact on both business practices and the planet.
By integrating the below actions and strategies, our Group is dedicated to fostering a circular economy, minimising waste and contributing to the sustainable future of the planet. This commitment aligns with our mission to balance business goals with environmental responsibility.
Our Sustainability Actions and Strategies
FOCUS AREA
SUSTAINABILITY & ACTIONS
Material selection
Identifying, trialling, sourcing, increasing and promoting the use of recyclable plastics and exploring alternative materials that align with circular economy principles.
Product design
Optimising packaging design to minimise material usage, employ lightweight designs and eliminate complexity and non-recyclable components.
Collaboration across the supply chain
Collaboration with the supply chain to encourage and advance sustainable practices.
Education and participation
Providing clear and consistent information about product design and recyclability and initiating campaigns to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviours.
Manufacturing
Investing and using innovative technologies and processes in manufacturing.
Optimising production processes to minimise the generation of plastic waste and reducing waste sent to landfills.
Promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
Minimising the use of resources (water and energy) in manufacturing processes.
Extended Producer Responsibility
Embracing extended producer responsibility by actively participating in and supporting EPR programmes.
Innovation and Research
Regularly reviewing and updating strategies based on technological advancements and emerging sustainable packaging solutions.
Certifications and standards
Adhering to recognised standards for recyclability and circularity, such as those established by industry associations or certification bodies.
Seeking and obtaining certifications that validate the company's commitment to responsible plastic packaging practices.
Achievements and Actions to Date
The Group has made a significant impact in a very short period and to date the following represents some of the actions and successes that have been noted in the area of sustainability.
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The group is an active and contributory member of the South African Plastics Pact, a collaborative initiative that brings together key stakeholders from the local plastics value chain, including businesses, the South African Government, Producer Responsibility Organisations, Non-Government Organisations and other key players to tackle plastics waste and pollution at its source.
The SA Plastics Pact works towards the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy vision and an ambitious set of four 2025 targets to create a circular economy for plastics in South Africa.
For further details on this organisation and its objectives please visit saplasticspact.org.za/
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The Group is an active and contributory member of the Polyco Extended Producer Responsibility Organisation in South Africa.
This organisation represents the plastics industry in South Africa and drives various initiatives on behalf of industry players in compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility regulations and targets introduced by the South African Government.
For further details on this organisation, its objectives and achievements to date please visit polyco.co.za/extended-producer-responsibility/
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The Group has significantly grown its product development and innovation capabilities through investment in equipment and the recruitment of some polymer scientists who are dedicated to driving our actions and strategies in the areas of material selection, product, innovation and collaboration.
View our Technology & Product page for details on our complete offering of sustainable and recyclable product offerings.
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An extensive patented range of fully recyclable polyethylene-based materials has successfully been launched that have found application not only in our traditional markets but also in non-produce-related markets such as snacks, dry foods, soups and sauces and household products.
We continue to expand the reach of these materials into the market due to the benefits they offer in terms of shelf-life extension, recyclability, ease of processing and resource consumption during production.
For further details with regards to these products please click here to read our brochure.
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The Group has been recognised for its efforts in the area of sustainable product design and development by being awarded the Tesco Innovation Award in 2019 and having been nominated in 2023 as a finalist by South Africa’s largest retailer, Checkers Shoprite, in the Sustainability category – the only packaging company to receive such recognition.
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The Group had previously completed a process of review and replacement of all motors, drives and lighting with more energy-efficient alternatives and energy efficiency continues to be a major consideration in all new capital investment projects.
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In 2023 the Group adopted Expanded Colour Gamut (“ECG”) printing in its flexible operations which has led to a significant reduction in solvent usage.
The current penetration rate of ECG in the operations is about 35% and will continue to increase as and when plates and stereos for existing products come up for replacement.
ECG is used for all new products introduced into the business. Trials and tests are currently being conducted with other alternate print and ink technologies that will further reduce the environmental impact of the printing process in the business.
Monitoring & Reporting
In pursuit of fostering a broader Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) responsibility, the Group is committed to and already well advanced in the process of implementing a robust monitoring and reporting framework for all our ESG initiatives, including carbon footprint reporting.
We recognise the importance of transparency and accountability in achieving our goals. Through comprehensive tracking systems, we will monitor key performance indicators related to items such as recyclable material usage, product design, waste reduction, resource efficiency and our overall environmental impact. Regular assessments and reviews are already being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of our existing actions and strategies.
This commitment to ongoing monitoring and reporting will reflect our dedication to continuous improvement and will ensure that we remain at the forefront of responsible and sustainable plastic packaging practices.