The Glass Recycling Company’s #GlassRecyclingChallenge 2025 exceeded its national target, collecting 292 tons of glass in November across Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, surpassing 280-ton benchmark.
Three cities. One month. A national goal surpassed.
The 2025 #GlassRecyclingChallenge called on South Africans to recycle glass bottles and jars at public glass recycling banks and share their efforts online. Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town collectively delivered 292 tons of glass during November, exceeding the 280-ton target set for the campaign.
Glass collected through TGRC’s public recycling bank network in the three metros was transported back into the recycling value chain, ensuring bottles and jars were remanufactured into new glass packaging instead of ending up in landfill.
Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of The Glass Recycling Company, said the outcome highlights both progress and responsibility. “Exceeding our 280-ton target shows what’s possible when South Africans make glass recycling part of their everyday routine. It’s a strong result and one we’re proud of. At the same time, the work doesn’t stop here. The real challenge is sustaining and growing these volumes year on year, so that recycling becomes a habit, not a once-off campaign.”
Glass remains 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without losing quality. However, significant volumes still go to landfill each year. TGRC’s annual challenge is designed to keep recycling visible and accessible, reinforcing consistent participation beyond campaign windows.
Beyond environmental gains, glass recycling contributes to South Africa’s circular economy, supporting collectors, transporters, buy-back centres and small businesses earning income from recyclable material. Every bottle recycled helps sustain these livelihoods and strengthen local value chains.
To encourage engagement, TGRC offered R5 000 spot prizes to participants who documented their recycling journeys on social media using #GlassRecyclingChallenge. Posts ranged from family recycling trips to community-led collection drives, reflecting growing public awareness.
“The challenge doesn’t end in November,” added Jhetam. “If we want to see recycling volumes grow – and not fall back – participation has to continue throughout the year. Every bottle still matters.”
More information on glass recycling is available at www.tgrc.co.za.
