About Us
Who We Are
The South African Industrial Container Reconditioners Association (SAICRA)
Is a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) under the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
As South Africa’s industry leader for compliance and conformance in the industrial packaging and reconditioning sector, SAICRA drives the principles of regulation, accountability, and performance across all Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks.
Established in 2012 by manufacturers and reconditioners, SAICRA was created to meet the need for responsible management of packaging and industrial containers. Supported by industry partners and the ROSE Foundation, the organisation registered as a PRO in 2021 and now represents members across metal, plastic, and composite packaging sectors.
Our role extends far beyond regulatory compliance – we empower producers, importers, and reconditioners to operate sustainably, ethically, and in full alignment with South Africa’s evolving environmental regulations.
Through strategic initiatives, innovation, and industry partnerships, SAICRA drives resource efficiency, promotes circular economy principles, and accelerates the transformation of industrial packaging practices nationwide.
By fostering a culture of accountability and sustainability, SAICRA is shaping an industrial sector that not only meets today’s regulatory requirements but also anticipates and adapts to the environmental challenges of the future.
How We Support Our Members
We partner with industry to ensure full Compliance, Conformance, and Performance through:
Compliance audits & assessments
verifying member alignment with EPR regulations and DFFE requirements.
Reporting & transparency systems
streamlining submissions, enhancing reporting and data accuracy, and enabling informed decision-making across the sector.
Regulatory support & guidance
providing expert training, licensing assistance, and guidance through complex permit frameworks to foster regulatory confidence.
Promotion of reconditioning & reuse
championing industrial reuse practices that protect people, the environment, and the economy.
Financial support
through subsidies and assistance for ISO certification, Waste Management Licences (WMLs), and other compliance-related initiatives that strengthen organisational resilience.
Representation & advocacy
engaging directly with DFFE and national stakeholders to safeguard member interests, shape policy direction, and influence the evolution of sustainable industrial practices.
Through these initiatives, SAICRA ensures that compliance is achievable, conformance is measurable, and performance is sustainable, positioning its members not just as regulatory adherents, but as leaders in transforming South Africa’s industrial packaging and reconditioning sector into a model of environmental stewardship, innovation, and circularity.
Objectives
Act in the best interests of members by promoting a compliant, sustainable, and well-regulated industry.
Uphold safety, environmental protection, and accountability through ethical business practices.
Promote a national code of conduct aligned with industry legislation and EPR principles.
Represent the industry at national and provincial levels to ensure unified communication with government and stakeholders.
Support collaboration between producers, importers, and reconditioners to promote the circular economy.
Advocate for continuous improvement in compliance, innovation, and sustainability performance.
Encourage participation and inclusivity, with a focus on youth, women, and people with disabilities in the reconditioning and recycling sector.
Our Vision
To be South Africa’s trusted industry leader, leading the way in regulatory compliance and sustainable performance across sectors that advance the circular economy.
Our Mission
To lead a sustainable circular economy in South Africa by enabling producers, importers, and reconditioners to meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations through robust systems that drive compliance, conformance and measurable environmental performance.
SAICRA History
The South African Industrial Container Reconditioners Association was formed in January 2012 by packaging manufacturers, fillers, collectors, treatment facilities and reconditioners (recyclers) who came together and formed SAICRA, a body that is self-funded. At the time, SAICRA had 25 members (new drums and reconditioners) representing 27 plants. Members contributed per drum or IBC reconditioned as part of the self-funding model. SAICRA is an autonomous body established by producers by following a due process which was achieved through a facilitation initiative by the Recycling Oil Saves the Environment (ROSE) Foundation, Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) and the South African Paint Manufacturers Association (SAPMA).
These organisations in their mission to ensure extended producer responsibility over their waste packaging stream that needed special collection and treatment conditions to prevent pollution and harm to human beings due to the nature of their hazardous contents.
SAICRA was formally registered as a Non-Profit Organisation in April 2015 with registration number 2015/139496/08. SAICRA was further registered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) as a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) in July 2021, under registration number 19/7/5/P/PRO/20210722/006. The collection of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees commenced on 1 June 2022.
SAICRA focused its efforts from inception on addressing the growing need across South Africa for specialised services to fillers and brand owners operating within this sector. The organisation was established to provide a unified platform for manufacturers, fillers, brand owners, collectors, and treatment facilities, giving them a collective voice while supporting members in becoming responsible and compliant within the regulatory framework.