| Dear SAPRO members. Drastic times call for drastic measures and in the face of tomorrow’s lockdown and ‘Corona pandemic’ we do hope you are all being pragmatic, proactive and pulling together in considering your plans to weather the next few weeks. We anticipate COVID-19 will disrupt the value chain and affect your operations, we just don’t know how- and what this “new normal” will look like? Comforting news is that we have received feedback from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) that recyclable collectors and material recyclers with capacity may choose to proceed with their operations, where they are supporting the Food or other Value Chains indicated by the President and they are covered in terms of the President’s Statement. Although we already consider ourselves a critical service as per the definition, we have approached DTI to specifically identify us to remove any further possible confusion, we await further Gazetted information and will keep you updated in this regard. In particular, should you stay operational, please do risk averse approach to operations (and finances), maintaining the minimum staff compliment to ensure uninterrupted supply to clients and upholding the requisite health and safety requirements ( i.e. social distancing, remote working and supplementary hygiene practices- thus protecting the health of your workers, colleagues, families and the community). We want to remind you that as a membership based organisation, we have the industry’s interests at heart. We have pledged our support to government, as the voice of the South African Plastic Recyclers, advising via a position statement, that our plastics re-processors will (where critical) remain operational over this challenging time. As an integral part of the waste management sector, we directly support the sector in diversion of plastic waste from waste management businesses and material recovery facilities. This will become essential over this time to assist to maintain proper levels of hygiene in the waste value chain and in preventing the spread of disease (Corona or other) and promoting cleanliness ensuring the health and safety of every South African. We are proactively retooling to work remotely and continue to add value and support you as members….in the following ways • We are actively engaging government decision makers and business leaders about resilience of the sector over this time and the important role this industry will play in the impending crisis; • We will be circulating information and resources over this period to assist you- via email and social media platforms; • We have stated a Member WhatsApp group for more responsive communication; • We are considering hosting and/or sharing links to virtual discussions around critical topics for learning and dialogue; and • Our Board is on standby as a support structure to you, with their combined 100 years of institutional capacity and plastic recycling experience. We know difficult times are looming, but have every confidence in our community’s ability to pull together with kindness, care and concern for the common good . Over this time we encourage you to please Keep safe, keep healthy and do keep in touch. Any inquiries can be directed to lisa@plasticrecyclingsa.co.za or nadia@plasticrecyclingsa.co.za |
South African Plastics Recycling Organisation: SAPRO
Plastics re-processors in South Africa
SAPRO Covid19 communication
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