South African retailers are increasingly adopting greener packaging solutions, driven by mounting pressure to reduce packaging waste. This shift is expanding the sustainability debate beyond the traditional paper-versus-plastic discussion. Retailers are exploring various alternatives, including paper, reusable, and recyclable materials, to minimize their environmental footprint. According to supplier Traderbag, the sustainability of paper as an alternative to plastic must be evaluated across the entire supply chain, from raw material sourcing to distribution and disposal.
Major retail chains in South Africa are taking steps to reduce their packaging waste. Shoprite, for instance, introduced a fully recyclable plastic shopping bag made from recycled plastic in 2013. The company continues to seek ways to increase recycled content, improve recyclability, and support circular material flows across its operations. In the 2025 financial year, Shoprite used 10,213 tonnes of recycled plastic in the manufacture of its shopping bags, with most of the plastic being converted into carrier bags.
Shoprite's approach to packaging is not limited to plastic; the company also uses paper and reusable materials. Its Sixty60 paper delivery bags are made from 100% recycled FSC-certified paper, are fully recyclable, and use recyclable labels. Customers are encouraged to return and reuse the bags, and Shoprite has seen increasing levels of reuse, including for covering schoolbooks. The company's chief sustainability officer, Sanjeev Ragjubir, emphasizes that the choice of packaging material depends on the application, rather than one material being inherently preferable to another.
Woolworths has taken a more pronounced shift away from single-use plastic, removing plastic shopping bags from its stores and moving towards paper and reusable alternatives. The retailer began removing single-use plastic bags from its food markets in 2018 and trialled paper bags for its fashion, beauty, and homeware business the following year. The paper bags are made from recycled paper, FSC-certified, and sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Woolworths' sustainability communications consultant, Diane Peterson, notes that packaging decisions consider environmental impact alongside product protection, durability, customer expectations, and the availability and cost of suitable alternatives. The retailer is also testing paper as an alternative for some food packaging, while some plastic remains in its online and click-and-collect operations where suitable alternatives have yet to be identified.
The broader waste agenda is being shaped by policy, with the department of forestry, fisheries, and the environment publishing the draft national waste management strategy 2026 for public comment. The strategy sets out a five-year framework for reducing waste, improving resource recovery, and advancing a circular economy. Shoprite's Centurion distribution centre recently received level 2 zero waste to landfill certification from the Green Building Council, recognizing its efforts to divert operational waste from landfill.
As retailers strive to meet sustainability commitments, they are placing greater emphasis on the wider lifecycle of packaging. This includes considering the availability of recycling infrastructure, collection rates, recycled content, and the likelihood of material leaking into the environment. By adopting greener packaging solutions and reducing waste, retailers aim to minimize their environmental impact without compromising the cost, availability, or functionality of the materials they use.
Key points
- Retailers are shifting towards paper, reusable, and recyclable packaging alternatives to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.
- Shoprite and Woolworths are implementing sustainable packaging solutions, including recyclable plastic bags and paper bags made from recycled materials.
- The South African government is promoting sustainable waste management practices through the draft national waste management strategy 2026.
