Recycling Makes Cents

ACA Threads transitioned from using single-use virgin polypropylene spools to a buy-back and recycling system. By partnering with an injection moulder and social organisations, the company recovered 7 tons of material from landfills over five years, saving over R460,000 and generating income for disabled persons' organisations and local community projects.

• ACA Threads established a circular system by buying back empty spools and cones from customers, which are then cleaned by the Association for Physically Disabled in PE and the Worcester School for the Blind before being returned to production or reground by an injection moulder.
• Over a five-year period, the recycling initiative diverted 7 tons of non-biodegradable polypropylene and 295 m3 of volume from landfills.
• The initiative produced significant financial outcomes over five years: ACA Threads saved more than R460,000, customers saved over R55,000 through landfill diversion, and R120,900 in income was generated for the Worcester School for the Blind and the Association for Physically Disabled.
• The company used recycling funds to support local community projects, providing R238,000 over 8 years to Cavelleria Primary school and over R10,000 to a football club in Wallacedene.
• As of the reporting period, ACA Threads was recycling 21% of its units, with a target of 50% by 2014.

APA

GreenCape (n.d.). Recycling Makes Cents. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recycling-Makes-Cents-3.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Recycling Makes Cents. n.d. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recycling-Makes-Cents-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Recycling Makes Cents |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recycling-Makes-Cents-3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencapendrecycling, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Recycling Makes Cents}}, institution = {GreenCape}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recycling-Makes-Cents-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }