Vanessa Mashele and Adri Spangenberg are representing South Africa at the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution, hosted by the United Nations in Geneva, since the 04th August until 15 August 2025.
They are representing the EPR Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA), with the hope of engaging international delegates on matters such as sustainable packaging design, recovery systems, regulatory alignment, and global reporting standards.
Vanessa Mashele, said “it’s an honour to represent the producers and recyclers who are not only compliant with national regulations but are pushing for innovation in sustainable packaging. Our focus is to ensure the treaty reflects workable, effective solutions that support our local realities.”
The INC-5 negotiations mark a pivotal point in finalizing a legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution globally.
Adri Spangenberg said, “as sector leads, we see firsthand the dedication of our members to reducing environmental impact through responsible production and material recovery. We are here to amplify those efforts in a global conversation that demands collaboration and accountability.”