MetPac-SA is pleased to announce that we have successfully completed a pilot project to digitise Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) declarations. Following positive results with some pilot members, we have approved a full rollout to all 85 members ahead of the Q3 submission deadline (15 October 2025).
Mrs. Annamarie Botha, who is leading the member declaration process, highlighted that the new system, developed in partnership with Unifi, streamlines submissions, reduces administrative effort, and enhances data accuracy. The result is a smoother experience for members and more robust reporting and governance for MetPac-SA.
Throughout September, the MetPac-SA team, together with Unifi, will engage directly with members to support their onboarding to the platform, which can be accessed via the MetPac-SA website.
What This Means for Members
- Simplified Submissions: From Q3 2025, declarations will be submitted online through the new portal.
- Time Saved: Automated reminders and workflows will reduce admin follow-ups.
- Greater Accuracy: Data quality checks ensure fewer errors and smoother processing.
- Clear Feedback: Member dashboards provide visibility into your declaration status and performance.
- Future Value: This foundation opens the door to ESG insights and sustainability intelligence beyond compliance.
According to Mr Aiden Choles from Unifi “EPR Done Right is ESG Done Right”
The data collected for EPR is more than a compliance requirement. It is also the foundation of MetPac-SA’s members ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) story. When captured and reported effectively, packaging data doesn’t just track volumes and fees, it demonstrates:
- Environmental impact: Packaging footprint, recyclability, and material circularity.
- Social contribution: Fees that support recycling initiatives, job creation, and inclusion of the informal waste sector.
- Governance leadership: Transparent, auditable declarations that strengthen credibility with regulators, investors, and customers.
The Partnership with Unifi
Through this partnership, Unifi provides the technology backbone for digitisation, as well as the potential to unlock broader sustainability intelligence. Over time, this creates opportunities for members to:
- Turn compliance data into investor- and customer-ready sustainability credentials.
- Explore diagnostics that benchmark ESG maturity.
- Access insights that support reporting to boards, clients, and stakeholders.
MetPac-SA’s role is to ensure all members meet their compliance obligations. The partnership with Unifi allows MetPac-SA to go further, offering members a value-added service that positions EPR data as a contribution to member’s ESG performance.
Next Steps
- Onboarding Workshops: Group training sessions will be hosted in September.
- Q3 Submission: All members are required to submit via the portal by 15 October.
- Future Value: As usage scales, members will have the opportunity to access more advanced ESG insights, building on the foundation of digitised declarations.
- Dr. Ravi Nadar and Mr. Rishant Harichunder, who are leading Stages 2 and 3 of the project, explained that the focus will be on capturing collection data in a structured and reliable way, while also developing analytics and dashboards to strengthen reporting. These tools will support:
- DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) compliance
- Member ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosures and performance tracking
Together, we are not only meeting compliance, we are building a stronger sustainability story for the metal packaging sector.
