Company raises awareness of metal can recycling

Metal packaging manufacturer Nampak’s Bevcan and Divfood divisions, together with recycling initiative Collect-a-Can and its interactive awareness brand, Can Do!, will launch local initiatives that form part of international Canvironment Week at the Green Expo, in Cape Town, later this month.

Canvironment Week is an environmental campaign initiated in 2010 by India-based metal packaging manufacturer Hindustan Tin Works to promote the global sustainability and recycling of metal cans.

“The event aims to educate communities, can manufacturers and brand owners across the world about the benefits of recycling all types of metal cans,” says Hindustan Tin Works VP Atit Bhatia.

He adds that the ultimate goal of the campaign is to make a significant and sustainable impact by creating awareness about the benefits of using cans which have ecofriendly properties.

Nampak Bevcan MD Erik Smuts says cans are South Africa’s most recycled form of beverage packaging, with more than 72% of all beverage cans produced recovered for recycling.

“Nampak is committed to helping consumers pursue a more sustainable lifestyle by increasing recycling efforts. Can Do! will sponsor the main stage at the Cape Town Green Expo for the second year,” he adds.

Smuts notes that the objective of the expo is to educate and inspire consumers to be more environment conscious.

“Green programmes, including recycling awareness programmes and environment-friendly products will be showcased under one roof. Recycling is at the core of Nampak’s philosophy. It is our business’s licence to exist. The company is passionate about sustainability and improving our environment through recycling,” he states.

“Our aim with this year’s Green Expo is to drive the sustainability message by educating and inspiring. The partnership with Nampak’s metal packaging manufacturers helps us engage consumers and businesses in conversation about the importance of recycling,” adds Green Expo founder Natalie Naude.

Further, Smuts says South Africans can contribute to a cleaner and more environment- friendly South Africa by choosing to buy more of their consumables in cans because of their green benefits.

“Owing to the fact that they are 100% and infinitely recyclable, cans are less likely to end up as litter in our rivers, oceans and vegetation,” he says.

Meanwhile, Nampak and Collect-a-Can launched another initiative last month – Can Do! Trekking for Trash. Two social-change enthusiasts, Michael Baretta and Camilla Howard, will walk along South Africa’s entire coastline over a seven-month period to raise awareness about litter.