On 23 April 2025, MetPac-SA was invited by Unilever to participate in the Vaal EmpowaYouth Week, where it served as one of the panellists alongside key stakeholders including African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO), Fibre Circle, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and Unilever.
The panel discussion focused on youth opportunities within the waste management value chain, highlighting both challenges and emerging pathways. A key theme was the importance of scarce and critical skills, particularly in engineering fields related to the processing and beneficiation of recyclables. Stakeholders emphasised that technical expertise is essential for advancing South Africa’s transition toward a circular economy.
The discussion also underscored the need for strong partnerships that empower young people to innovate, especially through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management systems. In addition, practical guidance was shared on how youth can access funding opportunities, navigate institutional structures, and effectively “knock on the right doors” to enter the market.
The MetPac-SA representative elaborated on linking youth to green jobs within the waste economy, with a focus on inclusivity across the value chain. This includes identifying gaps where young entrepreneurs and professionals can contribute meaningfully.
Examples of innovation opportunities highlighted include:
- AI-powered sorting systems to improve efficiency and accuracy in recycling processes
- Sensor-based sorting technologies to automate material separation
- The adoption of chemical or biological processing methods as alternatives to traditional smelting
These technologies have the potential to significantly reduce manual labour, improve working conditions for recyclers, and enhance processing speed and output. This aligns with broader industry efforts to strengthen recycling systems and build a more efficient circular economy, a role that organisations like MetPac-SA actively support through collaboration and innovation.
The event attracted more than 2,000 youth from the Vaal region and surrounding
communities, providing a significant platform for direct engagement between MetPac-SA and young people interested in the recycling sector.
This high level of participation enabled the MetPac-SA team to interact meaningfully with youth, many of whom expressed interest in opportunities within the waste management and recycling value chain. However, it also became evident that there is a significant gap in awareness and understanding regarding the structure and function of the recycling ecosystem.
A large proportion of attendees were unfamiliar with the concept of a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and its role within South Africa’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. In response, the MetPac-SA team undertook an educational role, providing clarity on:
The definition and purpose of a PRO, the role of MetPac-SA as a representative body for producers and brand owners of metal packaging, how PROs support on driving recycling outcomes.
The engagement further provided an opportunity to educate participants on:
- The differences between steel and aluminium packaging, including their recyclability and value within the circular economy
- The role of waste pickers and buy-back centres in collecting and supplying recyclable materials into the value chain
- The various forms of support available through MetPac-SA, including: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Access to equipment, Training programmes and workshops and Capacity-building initiatives for participants across the recycling sector
The participation of MetPac-SA at Vaal EmpowaYouth Week 2025 reinforced the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and skills development in unlocking opportunities for youth within the waste management sector.
Findings:
- The youth lacks awareness of how to access support from PROs
- The youth of Vaal are in the business of recycling but lack knowledge on how to treat recycling as a business as majority are doing it from hand to mouth
- The majority of the youth who are doing recycling do not have a working relationship with the municipalities
Actions to be Taken:
- A workshop is needed to inform the waste pickers about recycling, going forward the cooperative will be monitored for progress
- MetPac-SA to establish a relationship with the municipalities and arrange a workshop for the interested waste pickers and recyclers within the area
