Circularity in the plastic crates industry

The document details how the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) connected Quality Crate Manufacturers with West Coast Plastics to replace virgin HDPE with recycled pellets. This synergy resulted in the diversion of 35 tonnes of plastic from landfills, the avoidance of 80 tonnes of CO2e emissions, and R350,000 in additional revenue for the recycler.

• Quality Crate Manufacturers faced challenges sourcing competitive recycled HDPE in the Western Cape, as the local availability of virgin plastics created a stronger business case for non-recycled materials.
• Through WISP's facilitation, Quality Crate Manufacturers transitioned to using recycled materials, starting with an 18-tonne purchase of injection grade recycled HDPE pellets on 15 January 2019 for R180,000, followed by three additional orders totaling 17 tonnes for R170,000.
• The partnership achieved significant environmental and economic outcomes, including the diversion of 35 tonnes of HDPE plastic from landfills and the avoidance of 80 tonnes of CO2e in greenhouse gas emissions.
• The collaboration generated R350,000 in additional revenue for West Coast Plastics, and Quality Crates has since become the recycler's primary source of business.

APA

GreenCape (2020). Circularity in the plastic crates industry. https://greencape.co.za/assets/WISPCase-Study_Recycled_plastic_crates_2_7_20-v2.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Circularity in the plastic crates industry. 2020. https://greencape.co.za/assets/WISPCase-Study_Recycled_plastic_crates_2_7_20-v2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Circularity in the plastic crates industry |date=2020 |url=https://greencape.co.za/assets/WISPCase-Study_Recycled_plastic_crates_2_7_20-v2.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencape2020circularity, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Circularity in the plastic crates industry}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2020}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/assets/WISPCase-Study_Recycled_plastic_crates_2_7_20-v2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }