Circular Cities Lab South Africa

Exploring reuse and reusable packaging systems in South African cities

Years active:

2023 - 2025

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Related ICLEI Pathway(s)

Locations

Cape Town, South Africa

Funded by

The project is carried out by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is funded through the BMZ Initiative for Climate and Environmental Protection (IKU).

About

Project summary

Circular Cities Lab, South Africa involved building a baseline report tilted “Circular Economy in South Africa: Opportunities for Reusable Packaging Systems and Women’s Participation”. From there, ICLEI Africa is now hosting an engagement platform to convene interested local government authorities, the private sector, and civil society. Running from February to September 2025, ICLEI Africa will host a series of virtual and in-person engagements, providing stakeholders with opportunities to exchange insights, address challenges, and explore practical pathways for developing a thriving reuse economy and reusable packaging systems in South Africa—translating theory into action.

Project aims

The project ‘Circular City Labs (CCL) – Testing reusable packaging systems in cities’ aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through waste prevention by promoting reusable packaging systems and strengthening women’s participation in local circular economies.

team manager

Main project contact

Kiera Crowe-Petterson

Senior Professional Officer: Urban Systems

The project team

Circular Cities Lab South Africa team

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Kiera Crowe-Petterson

Senior Professional Officer: Urban Systems

Kiera Crowe-Petterson

Senior Professional Officer: Urban Systems

Kiera works at the intersection of urban systems and the circular economy. With experience spanning the public, private, third sector and grassroots organisations, Kiera explores alternative economies as tools for systems change, aiming to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Her areas of interest include water, jobs and just transition.

Zakiyya Atkins

Junior Professional Officer: Urban Systems

Zakiyya Atkins

Junior Professional Officer: Urban Systems

Zakiyya holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Prior to joining ICLEI Africa, she gained experience as an Urban Planning and Project Packaging Assistant in the Urban Catalytic Investment Department at the City of Cape Town. Zakiyya has experience as a Research Assistant at CPUT and in the Development Planning Intelligence Management and Research Directorate within the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. She has a passion for sustainable development, co-creation, research and innovation.

Luka Dreyer

Intern: Urban Systems

Luka Dreyer

Intern: Urban Systems

Luka holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental and Geographical Science and Master of City and Regional Planning Degree from the University of Cape Town, with a research focus on the relationship between the Kuils River Corridor and surrounding urban fabric. He seeks to apply his multidisciplinary background, experience in public policy, analytical approach and passion for communication to systemically and sustainably integrate socio-ecological systems for greater equity and resilience.