The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) in South Africa has implemented mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations under the National Environmental Management Waste Act of 2008. These regulations are intended to reduce the environmental impact of waste by driving the collection, sorting, and recycling of waste materials. The regulations mandate that producers pay a fee for the paper, packaging, lighting, and electronic equipment they put onto the market. These fees are used to manage the sorting, collection, and recycling of waste materials according to set targets.

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa has positioned itself as a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to help the industry comply with these regulations, create a circular economy, and reduce the environmental impact of waste. As a PRO, the CGCSA will operate with neutrality and transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest.

Following a stakeholder mapping workshop, SUSCO developed a comprehensive communication strategy aimed at generating awareness towards its mandate as a PRO. The strategy targets all stakeholders within the recycling value chain, giving careful consideration to the role that they play in the EPR scheme.