South Africa’s paper recycling grows but separation remains ‘poor’    

South Africa’s paper recycling rate was 63.3% in 2025, up from 60% the year before, the country paper industry body Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) reports.

Through paper mills and a nationwide network of collectors, including small recycling businesses and informal waste pickers, some 1.2 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging are returned to the recycling loop, where they are used to produce new paper products such as packaging and tissue.

Let’s do better

Marking Global Recycling Day (18 March), Pamsa says that while consumers play a growing role in keeping recyclable materials in circulation, there is still ‘significant room’ for improvement. ‘Unfortunately, a substantial volume is still ending up in landfill or in the environment due to poor waste separation and recycling habits,’ says Pamsa’s Samantha Choles.

Informal sector praised

Office paper and paper packaging, such as cardboard boxes and grocery bags, are both widely used and highly recyclable, making them key to improving South Africa’s recycling rate, according to Choles. ‘We really want to encourage people to put cardboard boxes and paper bags out for collection by informal collectors. If these materials are placed in wheelie bins, they often become dirty and wet, making them far more difficult to recover and recycle.’

Easy steps forward

Pamsa is also appealing to businesses, schools and home to help improve the recycling of office paper. ‘Put containers at printers, desks and in classrooms to make it easier for people to recycle,’ advises Choles. ‘By making a few simple changes at home, work and school, consumers can help ensure that paper products get a second life instead of ending up in landfills, which are rapidly nearing capacity.’