Our Sustainability Framework

Safripol’s 2030 vision is to be recognised as a leading polymer business in South Africa and on the African continent. We are confident that by embracing sustainable business practices, we can drive long-term economic growth while creating meaningful value for our business, society, the environment, and our key stakeholders. With commitment and a concerted effort, we believe that positive change can be made. The focus over the past four years has been on building a foundation for sustainability within Safripol across the three focus areas i) circular economy, ii) environmental impact, and iii) positive societal impact.

1. Our focus is on increasing the use of recycled content in our product portfolio and designing resins for recycling and reuse. We also create resins for lightweight applications that help reduce the downstream carbon footprint of our products. Additionally, we develop durable, long-lasting applications that optimise resource usage. Through partnerships with various organisations, we support waste collection and recycling at the community level by providing essential resources.
2. Our approach centres on minimising our environmental impact by prioritising low-carbon energy where possible. We focus on optimising our resource efficiencies, which directly translates to lowering our operational costs. Our goal is to reduce emissions within our direct operational control, specifically Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, while also decreasing our reliance on potable water and minimising waste.
3. Our goal is to make a positive societal impact and create shared value for all stakeholders. Through targeted interventions, we work to strengthen our relationships with our fenceline communities. Our partnerships enable us to support young learners with access to quality education, skills development and job creation, while promoting plastic recycling and reuse in schools and communities. Safripol leads the LPR campaign, an education and awareness initiative designed to reshape public perceptions of plastics by encouraging responsible behaviour.

Collaboration remains the foundation of our sustainability strategy, as we know that system-level changes require commitment from role players in the plastics value chain. We continue to pursue strategic partnerships with like-minded stakeholders for the benefit of the industry.

The next phase in our sustainability journey remains critical. The focus will be to embed sustainability into the culture of the organisation, such that it becomes a core value and incorporated into the fabric of how we operate.

FAQs

Q1: What are the three core pillars of Safripol’s sustainability strategy?
A1: Safripol’s sustainability strategy is built on three main focus areas: i) contributing to the circular economy, ii) reducing our environmental impact, and iii) creating positive societal impact.

Q2: What is Safripol’s focus on contributing to the circular economy?
A2: The focus is on increasing the use of recycled content in the product portfolio, designing resins for recycling and reuse, creating lightweight applications, and developing durable, long-lasting applications. Safripol also supports community waste collection and recycling through partnerships.

Q3: What key actions is Safripol taking to reduce its environmental impact?
A3: Safripol’s approach centres on minimising environmental impact by:

• Prioritising low-carbon energy.
• Optimising resource efficiencies to lower operational costs.
• Reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions.
• Decreasing reliance on potable water and minimising waste.

Q4: What is the main goal of Safripol’s positive social impact strategy?
A4: The goal is to make a positive societal impact and create shared value by strengthening relationships with fenceline communities. This includes supporting education, skills development, job creation, and promoting plastic recycling, driven by the “Let’s Plastic Responsibly” (LPR) campaign.

Q5: What is the next critical phase in Safripol’s sustainability journey?
A5: The focus is to embed sustainability into the culture of the organisation so that it becomes a core value and is incorporated into the daily operations and mindset of every employee.

Safripol’s Sustainability Strategy: See How Our Core Values Drive Action. Download the Sustainability Report