South Africa is not too shabby in the recycling stakes, ranking as one of the top recycling countries in the world. The paper recovery rate is 45% of total paper produced. "For a developing country, that is pretty good. South Africa is also a large [country]," says John Hunt of the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa.
South Africa is exporting scrap metal at a rapid rate, causing local shortages and job losses. The Department of Trade and Industry implemented regulations that stopped export permits being issued to exporters of scrap metal in 2002. This caused the Recyclers’ Association of South Africa, a body that represents scrap dealers and recyclers, to bring legal action against the department.