The Shoprite Group has become the first South African retailer to introduce a fully recyclable 7kg potato pocket, marking a major step forward in sustainable packaging. Developed in-house by a team of five employees participating in a leadership development programme with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), the innovation resolves a long-standing industry challenge around potato bag recyclability.
Traditional potato pockets consist of an outer and an inner wet-strength layer, the latter being non-recyclable under local conditions. In the year 2023, an estimated 18 600 tons of these bags ended up in South African landfills. The team’s objective—to make the packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable—revealed complex supply chain hurdles. Despite exploring alternatives like consumer return schemes and international packaging solutions, none proved viable for South Africa’s infrastructure.
A turning point came when paper supplier Billerud’s Swedish R&D team collaborated with Shoprite to develop a new semi-wet-strength material. After an initial failure, their second attempt met all technical and environmental standards without incurring additional costs or disrupting operations.
Major Environmental and Economic Impact
The new packaging, launching in over 1 400 Shoprite, Checkers and Usave stores from May 2025, significantly reduces environmental harm. With the new recyclable bags, Shoprite’s overall recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging will rise from 88.9% to 90%, aligning with its 2025 sustainability targets.
The environmental benefits extend beyond reduced landfill waste. The innovation also eliminates the need for costly recycling infrastructure. Previously, a CSIR study estimated that processing the old wet-strength lining would require the construction of specialised plants, each costing approximately R30 million. Shoprite’s breakthrough circumvents this need entirely.
Perhaps most significantly, the recyclable bags open new economic avenues for South Africa’s informal waste pickers. If adopted industry-wide, this packaging could generate over R22 million in potential income for this community—providing both social and economic upliftment.
Benefits Across the Value Chain
The impact of Shoprite’s recyclable potato bag extends beyond waste reduction and innovation—it delivers real value throughout the agricultural supply chain. For farmers, the packaging ensures product quality, supports shelf-life requirements, and strengthens access to retailers committed to sustainability. For consumers, it provides an easy way to make environmentally responsible choices without paying more or sacrificing freshness. This development represents a win for all stakeholders, combining ecological responsibility with economic and practical benefits.