Sasol Sustainability Report 2023 - Book - Page 27
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
SAFE AND ENDURING OPERATIONS
DATA AND ASSURANCE
ANNEXURES
SAFE AND ENDURING OPERATIONS // Sustainable use of plastics
OUR COMMITMENT //
Sasol commits to having a meaningful impact on plastic waste leakage
into the environment through value chain collaboration on projects that
contribute to a circular economy.
OUR GROUP
APPROACH
We acknowledge that plastic waste in the environment
is a concern, is unacceptable and we want to make a
meaningful impact by:
Executing our plastics sustainability approach through impact projects, innovation,
education and collaboration;
Collaborating in the value-chain on projects and initiatives that promote and
develop circularity; and
Working with the government, relevant industry participants and associations to maximise
the impact of our contribution.
PERFORMANCE
Guided by our plastics sustainability focus areas and bearing in mind that Environmental Stewardship is one of our material matters, here we provide an update on our relevant initiatives:
PACKA-CHING
CHEMICAL RECYCLING IN SOUTH AFRICA
INKWAZI ISU
Packa-Ching is an initiative run by Polyco. It is an enterpriseoperated mobile recycling service that collects used recyclable
packaging material from informal settlements and low-income
areas in South Africa. This helps to reduce waste and create a
cleaner environment. Packa-Ching also contributes to poverty
alleviation by paying community members for their used
recyclables. This provides them with an opportunity to earn an
income and helps to improve livelihoods.
To provide an advanced solution to reducing plastic waste, we are
continuing our evaluation of a chemical recycling facility in South
Africa. This facility would complement both Sasol9s current efforts
to encourage mechanical recycling and the South African
Government9s Localisation Policy, which is integral to the country9s
economic recovery plan.
The Inkwazi Isu project is a collaborative effort by a broad range of
stakeholders to address the plastic waste challenge in eThekwini
(Durban), South Africa. The project is focused on improving
recyclable collection services, sorting infrastructure, education
and clean-up. The project converts municipal garden sites into
buy-back centres, where reclaimers can bring in their recyclables
in exchange for cash. The project is funded by several corporates,
non-governmental organisations, local governments and civic
organisations.
Since our sponsorhip in 2019, Packa-Ching has launched 15 units to
date with more than 70 direct jobs created. We have collected more
than 10 000 tons of recyclable waste and communities have earned
more than R10 million.
The objectives of Packa-Ching are aligned with Sasol9s efforts to
reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of plastics and to
implement reduction solutions.
Chemical recycling is a term used to describe technologies that
allow the recycling of those plastics that are difficult to recycle
mechanically. By turning plastic waste back into base chemicals
and chemical feedstocks, chemical recycling processes have the
potential to dramatically improve recycling rates and divert plastic
waste from landfill or incineration. A facility like this will create value
through the recycling of hard-to-recycle plastic waste and aligns
with our objective of providing circular and sustainable solutions
for our customers.
In order to support this project, we are currently finalising a baseline
study assessing the waste volumes in areas adjacent to our
Sasolburg facility. The baseline work will inform further action to
improve waste management infrastructure in the Vaal Triangle area,
including the potential development of a chemical recycling facility.
SASOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023
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Inkwazi Isu is addressing serious challenges stemming from poor
waste management practices, including the impact of plastic waste
on the environment. The partnership is serving inland communities,
townships and coastal areas between the Ezimbokodweni and Little
Amanzimtoti Rivers.
Sasol has funded the upgrade of two municipal refuse garden sites
into recycling buyback centres, while the Alliance to End Plastic
Waste (AEPW) is funding the upgrade of ten sites. The project kicked
off in July 2022 and five out of the 12 sites have been completed.
Combined efforts have resulted in 4 000 tons of waste collected.
The Inkwazi Isu project forms part of the AEPW flagship programme
for Sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to divert approximately
20 000 tons per annum of plastic waste from landfill while creating
120 direct jobs. In addition, 50 schools are estimated to become
collection centres.
