Campaign at Brightwater Commons aims for SA recordWhilst more and more people in South Africa are beginning to support initiatives that recycle paper, plastics, glass and tin cans; only a tiny percentage are aware that aluminium foil can also be recycled.  Ready-meal containers, catering trays, pie cases, kitchen foil and dairy product lids are discarded as everyday waste although they can be reused or recycled.

Foil recycling benefits

Whilst foil makes up a small portion of a houshold's waste recycling it reduces waste on landfill sites, saves energy and reduces carbon emissions.

Making aluminium requires vast amounts of energy; but remelting it to make a 'new' product only takes 5% of the original energy required, thereby resulting in an energy saving of 95%. This 95% of energy saved results in a 95% reduction of production emissions, including carbon emissions that have an effect on global warming.

In addition, the recycling of used foil reduces the demand on natural resources needed to manufacture new aluminium products. 

As aluminium is an element (remember the periodic table?), used aluminium foil retains all its properties even after being remelted to form a new product. So products made from recycled foil are of the same quality as those made from primary aluminium extracted from alumina, which is obtained from the clay mineral bauxite.

In South Africa, approximately 3500 tons of aluminium foil are used which can be practically collected for recycling on a yearly basis, but of that only a negligible amount is collected for recycling. 

As aluminium foil is a metal it will gradually return to its natural state of aluminium oxide when disposed of, although this takes a very long time.

Tips for recycling foil

Note that items like crisp packets are not made of foil, but of metallised plastic film – a plastic film coated with metallic ink. These cannot be recycled as aluminium foil! 

The best way to identify aluminium foil is by scrunching it.  Foil will remain scrunched, but metallised plastic will spring back.

Used foil campaign at the Brightwater Commons

A campaign to collect used aluminium foil for recycling is currently underway at The Brightwater Commons in Randburg in conjunction with Lehae La Tshepo. 

An appeal is being made to eateries, businesses, hotels, hostels, hospitals, hairdressers,  schools and the general public alike to assist by deposit their used aluminium foil at The Brightwater Commons' foil deposit point, adjacent to the centre's Woolworths store.  Arrangements can also be made for the collecting of large amounts of used foil from businesses and schools in the Johannesburg area.

In addition to creating an awareness of recycling and the need for waste management, this campaign is also aimed at breaking the SA Book of Records for the most recycled aluminium foil collected. The current record stands at 732kg and the aim is to beat this by collecting 750kg.

All used foil collected will be deposited into the giant soccer ball structure currently displayed at The Brightwater Commons. At the close of the campaign on Saturday 31st July, the used foil will be purchased by Zimalco, a division of the Zimco Group – an aluminium company.  These funds will go to Lehae La Tshepo, a community support centre based in Windsor.

Win cash or a car

As an incentive for the public and schools to support this recycling initiative, a competition has been included in the campaign. For every deposit of 50g of used foil, one can complete a Foil Ball Competition form for entry into a lucky draw.  Prizes include R20 000 in cash, and a Chana Benni 1300cc Exclusive to the value of R89 900.  A cash prize of R15 000 from Zibi Environmental will be awarded to the school that collects the largest amount of used foil. 

For further information can contact Winton Woodrooffe on 082 379 8760.