top of page
Picture1.jpg
RASA strives to create a level playing field that enables all responsible participants in the metal recycling industry to operate sustainably and profitably.

Overview

The Recycling Association of South Africa (RASA) is a registered not-for-profit company (NPC 2013/213742/08) and a SAPS-accredited voluntary association (Association 009/2012). Established to represent the interests of scrap metal dealers and the wider metal recycling industry in South Africa, RASA operates as a national and provincial voice for responsible recycling.

​

Based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, RASA promotes the development of a sustainable circular economy by turning scrap metal into valuable secondary raw materials. The Association advocates for free and fair trade, environmental responsibility, job creation, and inclusive participation across the recycling value chain, including small businesses, informal collectors, waste pickers, and historically disadvantaged individuals. RASA works collaboratively with government departments, state-owned enterprises, law enforcement, and other industry bodies such as the Metal Recyclers Association (MRA) and the Scrap Recycling Coalition (SRC).

​

The Association does not support policies or mechanisms that disincentivise legitimate recycling or create unnecessary barriers to fair trade.

​

History

RASA was formed in the early 2010s in response to serious challenges facing the scrap metal sector, particularly the theft of non-ferrous metals and critical infrastructure belonging to Eskom, Transnet, Telkom, Metrorail, and various municipalities.

The Association evolved from collaborative industry forums, most notably the Non-Ferrous Theft Crime Combatting Committee (NFTCC), which was established more than 14 years ago. This forum united scrap metal dealers, victims of theft, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and other stakeholders to share intelligence, combat cable and metal theft, and develop practical solutions.

RASA was formally accredited by SAPS in 2012 and registered as a Non-Profit Company in 2013.
Over time, its mandate has broadened from primarily addressing theft-related issues to comprehensive legislative advocacy, policy reform, and the promotion of responsible and sustainable metal recycling practices.

​

Mission and Activities

RASA actively engages with key stakeholders including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), Portfolio Committees, and state utilities. Its core activities include:

​

  • Making formal submissions on national policies such as the Steel Master Plan, the Price Preference System (PPS), export duties, and tariffs

  • Advocating for policies that incentivise recycling, support local manufacturing through secondary raw materials, and advance South Africa’s circular economy objectives

  • Opposing regulations that artificially reduce scrap metal values, discourage collection and processing, or undermine job creation in the sector

  • Facilitating industry self-regulation and training programmes aimed at preventing stolen goods from entering the legitimate recycling supply chain
    ​

Through these efforts, RASA strives to create a level playing field that enables all responsible participants in the metal recycling industry to operate sustainably and profitably.


 
bottom of page