Knowledge Hub

Circular-economy guides & how-tos.

21 plain-language guides — search them, filter by topic, or start with the essentials. Written for South Africa and the continent, sourced throughout.

21 guides

Start here

Essential

The 2030 Waste Targets, Explained: World, Africa and South Africa

Every 2030 marker that matters for waste and circularity — NWMS 55% diversion, EPR ratchets, SDG 12.3 and 12.5, the Global Methane Pledge, EU packaging rules and the AU Action Plan — and the one thing they all demand.

Read guide 8 min · 2026-07-18

Africa & Policy

How to Build a 2030-Ready Waste Strategy (Before It's Built For You)

A practical sequence for South African organisations: measure, separate, verify partners, evidence claims, and align to the 2030 markers — with the platform tools for each step.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-18

Policy & Finance

EPR Compliance in South Africa: What Producers Must Do

A practical guide to Extended Producer Responsibility in South Africa: who must register, how the PRO system works (PETCO, Polyco, Fibre Circle and others), and how to stay compliant.

Read guide 7 min · 2026-07-17

Policy & Finance

ESG Waste Reporting Without Greenwashing: A South African Guide

How to report waste and circularity credibly — GRI 306, evidence chains, and how to make diversion claims that survive scrutiny from auditors, investors and regulators.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-17

Africa & Policy

The African Union Circular Economy Action Plan (2024–2034): A Business Guide

What the African Union's Continental Action Plan for the Circular Economy (2024–2034) means for businesses, and how national roadmaps are turning continental policy into local obligations.

Read guide 7 min · 2026-07-17

Africa & Policy

Circular Economy in Africa: The Opportunity Behind the Waste Problem

Africa faces a projected surge in waste — but the circular economy is also one of its largest growth opportunities. The numbers, the sectors and where the value is.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-17

Africa & Policy

The Five Sectors Driving Africa's Circular Economy

Food systems, packaging, the built environment, fashion and electronics — the five priority sectors of the African Circular Economy Alliance, and what circularity looks like in each.

Read guide 8 min · 2026-07-17

Fundamentals

What Is the Circular Economy? A Practical Guide (2026)

A plain-language guide to the circular economy: what it means, why it matters, the R-strategies, and how businesses and households in South Africa can take part.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-04

Plastics & Packaging

How to Recycle Plastic in South Africa: A Simple Guide

Learn which plastics are recyclable in South Africa, how to sort them by resin code, and how to find a verified plastics recycler near you.

Read guide 7 min · 2026-07-04

Organics, Food & Biomass

How to Compost Food Waste at Home (Beginner's Guide)

A beginner-friendly guide to composting food and garden waste at home in South Africa — what to add, what to avoid, and how to keep it healthy.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-04

Electronics & E-waste

How to Dispose of E-Waste Responsibly in South Africa

Old phones, laptops and appliances contain valuable and hazardous materials. Learn how to recycle e-waste safely and find certified e-waste handlers.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-04

Fundamentals

The 16 R-Strategies of the Circular Economy, Explained

From prevent and reduce to recycle and recover — a clear explanation of the R-strategies (the circular 'ladder') and when to use each one.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Construction & Demolition

How to Reduce & Recycle Construction Waste

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is one of the biggest waste streams by weight. Learn how to cut it, reuse materials, and find rubble recyclers in South Africa.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-04

Textiles & Fashion

How to Recycle Clothing & Textiles

Where to donate, repair, resell and recycle used clothing and fabric in South Africa — and how to reduce textile waste in the first place.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Water & Wastewater

Greywater Reuse at Home: A Practical Guide

Save water by safely reusing greywater from showers, basins and laundry for your garden. What's safe, what to avoid, and simple setups for South African homes.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Metals, Scrap & Critical Materials

Scrap Metal Recycling: What's Worth It

Ferrous vs non-ferrous metals, how scrap is priced, and how to recycle metal responsibly in South Africa through verified processors.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Hazardous & Special Waste

How to Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste Safely

Paint, batteries, chemicals, oils and fluorescent tubes need special handling. A practical guide to disposing of hazardous household waste safely in South Africa.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-04

Energy & Renewable Equipment

Recycling Solar Panels & Batteries at End of Life

As South Africa installs more solar and storage, end-of-life panels and batteries need responsible recycling. Here's how it works and what to do.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Agriculture & Bioeconomy

Turning Agricultural Waste into Value

Crop residues, manure and processing by-products can become compost, animal feed, biochar or biogas. A practical guide to on-farm circular opportunities in South Africa.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Services, Education & Behaviour Change

How to Run a Business Waste Audit

A simple, step-by-step waste audit helps any business cut disposal costs and find circular opportunities. Here's how to do one — and where training and consultants help.

Read guide 5 min · 2026-07-04

Policy, Finance & Project Support

Funding & EPR: How to Pay for Circular Projects

Understand Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the funding routes for circular-economy projects in South Africa — grants, EPR fees, and project finance.

Read guide 6 min · 2026-07-04

Circular-economy guides & how-tos.

Start here

The 2030 Waste Targets, Explained: World, Africa and South Africa

EPR Compliance in South Africa: What Producers Must Do

What Is the Circular Economy? A Practical Guide (2026)

The 2030 Waste Targets, Explained: World, Africa and South Africa

How to Build a 2030-Ready Waste Strategy (Before It's Built For You)

EPR Compliance in South Africa: What Producers Must Do

ESG Waste Reporting Without Greenwashing: A South African Guide

The African Union Circular Economy Action Plan (2024–2034): A Business Guide

Circular Economy in Africa: The Opportunity Behind the Waste Problem

The Five Sectors Driving Africa's Circular Economy

What Is the Circular Economy? A Practical Guide (2026)

How to Recycle Plastic in South Africa: A Simple Guide

How to Compost Food Waste at Home (Beginner's Guide)

How to Dispose of E-Waste Responsibly in South Africa

The 16 R-Strategies of the Circular Economy, Explained

How to Reduce & Recycle Construction Waste

How to Recycle Clothing & Textiles

Greywater Reuse at Home: A Practical Guide

Scrap Metal Recycling: What's Worth It

How to Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste Safely

Recycling Solar Panels & Batteries at End of Life

Turning Agricultural Waste into Value

How to Run a Business Waste Audit

Funding & EPR: How to Pay for Circular Projects

Road to 2030

The sixteen R-strategies

How verification works

Circular-economy guides & how-tos.

Start here

The 2030 Waste Targets, Explained: World, Africa and South Africa

EPR Compliance in South Africa: What Producers Must Do

What Is the Circular Economy? A Practical Guide (2026)

The 2030 Waste Targets, Explained: World, Africa and South Africa

How to Build a 2030-Ready Waste Strategy (Before It's Built For You)

EPR Compliance in South Africa: What Producers Must Do

ESG Waste Reporting Without Greenwashing: A South African Guide

The African Union Circular Economy Action Plan (2024–2034): A Business Guide

Circular Economy in Africa: The Opportunity Behind the Waste Problem

The Five Sectors Driving Africa's Circular Economy

What Is the Circular Economy? A Practical Guide (2026)

How to Recycle Plastic in South Africa: A Simple Guide

How to Compost Food Waste at Home (Beginner's Guide)

How to Dispose of E-Waste Responsibly in South Africa

The 16 R-Strategies of the Circular Economy, Explained

How to Reduce & Recycle Construction Waste

How to Recycle Clothing & Textiles

Greywater Reuse at Home: A Practical Guide

Scrap Metal Recycling: What's Worth It

How to Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste Safely

Recycling Solar Panels & Batteries at End of Life

Turning Agricultural Waste into Value

How to Run a Business Waste Audit

Funding & EPR: How to Pay for Circular Projects

Road to 2030

The sixteen R-strategies

How verification works