Francois Marais returns to Polyco, leaves Fibre Circle

JOHANNESBURG – May 23, 2022 – Polyco PRO NPC, the producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for plastic packaging in South Africa, has announced that Francois Marais will be joining the organisation from 1 June 2022. He leaves his current position as Business Development Manager at Fibre Circle, the PRO for the paper and paper packaging industry, to take on the position of EPR Specialist at Polyco.
 
Since August 2019, Francois assisted with the establishment of Fibre Circle as a PRO, and managing engagements around the Section 18 EPR regulations, which were gazetted in May 2021. He also helped the organisation ramp up its producer registrations to close on 200 companies who manufacture or import paper products.
 
Commenting his move, Francois notes, “I am sad to leave the paper family, but I am excited about continuing the collaborative work between all the paper and packaging organisations as we navigate the tricky territory of EPR, waste management and recycling in South Africa.”
 
Fibre Circle CEO Edith Leeuta says, “Francois has been a valuable member of the Fibre Circle family and contributed significantly to establishing key relationships with our members. We are pleased that he is not leaving the industry entirely and look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with him and Polyco. We wish Francois success in his new role and all his future endeavours.”
 
Francois’s depth of experience includes roles at Nampak, Bidvest, Remade Recycling and the Waste Group and Polyco is delighted to welcome him back to the team.
 
“Francois’s extensive experience with EPR in South Africa makes him a valuable asset to Polyco. His years of knowledge and expertise gained in the recycling industry will play a key role in ensuring our EPR scheme is effectively rolled out, we achieve our targets, and we support our members and various stakeholders,” says Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco.
 
“We have a huge responsibility as the largest plastics PRO in South Africa to find sustainable solutions for dealing with all plastic waste material in the country. Francois is no stranger to Polyco or to the PRO environment, and we welcome his thought leadership during this exciting transition of moving from a voluntary to mandatory organisation. We look forward to having him on our team,” adds Patricia.