The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has officially launched South Africa’s first harbour-based net recycling facility at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The containerised “micro-recycling pod”, located at Collier Jetty, processes end-of-life fishing nets into high-value raw materials for reuse in plastic manufacturing.
Speaking at the launch, Minister George said the initiative represents a glimpse into a sustainable future. “The solution we see here today, the recycling and repurposing of end-of-life fishing gear, provides a glimpse of what a sustainable future can look like. This is how we build resilience in our blue economy, ensuring that economic activity supports environmental protection,” he said.
The recycling pod, housed in a converted shipping container, has the capacity to shred, wash, dry and densify up to 100 kilograms of used nets per hour. By transforming discarded fishing gear into clean plastic flakes, the facility helps prevent waste from reaching landfills or the ocean, reduces the risk of ghost fishing gear, and creates new economic opportunities.
The pilot project is led by the OCEAN Action Network (OCEAN) and Ocean Plastic Technologies (OPT), with the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) securing funding through the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund. The V&A Waterfront also played a key role by donating space for the facility’s operation.
Minister George commended the initiative for aligning with South Africa’s national environmental commitments and international goals. He noted that it supports the objectives of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and complements the ambitions of the emerging Global Plastic Treaty. He also highlighted that the project demonstrates South Africa’s leadership within the G20 Presidency.
Estelle van der Merwe, Managing Director of OCEAN Action Network, said the project is about much more than recycling. “It’s about protecting marine ecosystems, supporting South Africa’s fishing communities, and building a model that can be replicated in other harbours around the country and across the continent,” she explained.
Johann Augustyn, Executive Secretary of SADSTIA, said the project aligns with the MSC Fisheries Standard. “Mitigating the impacts of ghost gear is essential for healthy oceans. We hope this South African pilot inspires wider adoption of innovative, technology-based recycling solutions,” he added.
With the recycling pod now fully operational, plans are underway to scale the model to other harbours. According to OPT’s Oliver Nudds, the self-contained design makes replication easy. “This project shows what’s possible when industry and innovators work hand-in-hand. By densifying and cleaning plastic on-site, we’re creating a resource rather than a waste problem – and building a foundation for long-term sustainability, job creation and economic upliftment,” he said.
The initiative aims to create a scalable, circular economy solution for marine plastic waste directly at the harbour’s edge, while raising public awareness about the importance of recycling among residents and visitors to the V&A Waterfront.
Concluding the launch, Minister George emphasised the broader significance of the project. “Our oceans are the lifeblood of South Africa’s environmental and economic future. Initiatives like this show the power of partnership and innovation in driving real change. When we work together across government, business and civil society, we turn waste into opportunity and stewardship into action,” he said.
