MetPac-SA’s AGM focuses on plans for the future
MetPac-SA recently hosted its second AGM, attended by members of the Association, representatives of the packaging industry, researchers, and other interested parties.
Attendees heard about successes achieved during the 2018-2019 Financial Year by the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the metal packaging industry, and its plans for the future.
“MetPac-SA supports and represents members on industry matters related to operational, regulatory and environmental issues. We also promote the benefits of metal packaging and the sustainable attributes of steel and aluminium,” said CEO Kishan Singh.
In 2018, MetPac’s resources were primarily dedicated to developing the Industry Waste Management Plan (IndWMP) in partnership with JG Afrika.
“This was an exhaustive and expensive process and MetPac-SA’s plan was finally submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as part of Packaging SA’s Confederation of Plans. The process has now been stalled with the appointment of the new Minister of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries and it is likely to be a while before the plan is ratified, approved and becomes statutory,” Singh reported.
MetPac’s immediate strategy for the coming year will be to establish the association as a credible Industry representative organisation that is fully supportive of the PSA Federation of Plans, while continuing to encourage new members to sign up.
Singh said MetPac will continue its public awareness campaign aimed at general consumers and the metal packaging industry in order to increase collection and recycling rates, as well as encourage more role players in the metal packaging industry to sign up and support its efforts.
Earlier this year, two of South Africa’s largest retailers, Woolworths and Pick n Pay, submitted their membership applications. This was followed by Spar, Shoprite Chill Beverages and Golden Era who also submitted their company information.
“On behalf of the MetPac-SA board and fellow members, we would like to extend a warm welcome to all these new members. We applaud their decision to support the local metal packaging industry’s efforts to increase the collection and recovery rates of aluminium cans, canned food packaging made from aluminium and stainless steel, as well as aluminium foil products, aerosol canisters, metal caps and closures etc. By signing up as members, these companies are setting an example for their suppliers to follow and are helping to invest in recycling and recovery operations,” Singh said.
The following board members were elected and approved at the AGM and will be responsible for guiding MetPac-SA during the 2019-2020 financial year: Chairman Muhammed Darsot (Dürsots), Deputy Chairman Klaus Hass (Nampak), Kishan Singh (CEO), Ishfaq Shafi (Coca Cola Beverages), Dr Casper Durandt (Coca Cola), Riccardo Benedetti (Hulamin), Mark Helfrich (Nestlé), Louis Wentzel (PackSolve) and Charles Müller (Industry Expert),
“MetPac-SA is proud to be headed up by such a committed and experienced Board of Directors who are single minded in their vision to see the metal packaging industry grow and succeed without sacrificing the health and well-being of the planet or its people. We look forward to the exciting opportunities awaiting us in the next financial year and feel confident about what the future holds,” Singh concluded.
