SIG partners with Tagaddod to recycle used beverage and food cartons

Swiss packaging solutions provider SIG is teaming up with Egyptian waste management company Tagaddod to recycle its used beverage and food cartons in Egypt.

The partnership between SIG and Tagaddod is being implemented through the “recycle for good” project. The initiative launched on 4 October 2022 aims to collect and recycle used SIG-branded beverage and food cartons in Egypt. The packaging solutions provider based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, wants to use this initiative to support the transition to a circular economy in the North African country. “Currently in Egypt, barely 60% of the waste produced per year is collected, and less than 20% of it is properly disposed of or recycled,” says SIG.

Egypt produces an average of 95 million tonnes of waste each year. SIG is drawing on the expertise of Tagaddod, an Egyptian energy and waste management company, to reduce its environmental impact in the country. Tagaddod is the first company in Egypt to enable direct household and food service industry waste collection through tech-based solutions. Its app allows consumers and businesses in the food service industry to arrange collection of their used beverage cartons in exchange for rewards.

The collected used cartons will be transported through Tagaddod’s logistics network to a factory where they are pulped. Separated from other products, the pulp is used to make new paper-based products (packaging) and the extruded or moulded plastic components to form other products such as boards, pallets, furniture, desks and tiles for construction.

Nour El Assal, CEO and co-founder at Tagaddod added: “We are delighted to be partnering with SIG on the ‘Recycle for Good’ programme, which is another breakthrough for Tagaddod in transforming its vision into actions, using our technology and resources. Tagaddod has the infrastructure, network, and vision to further mobilise and accelerate Egypt’s transition towards a circular economy. With this initiative, we will expand our reach to retract high-grade, high value food-grade cartons and put them back in circulation, while creating reliable additional income for households and waste collectors. It is long term positive impact and value creation at their best.”