Environment minister issues new plastic bag directives
Moves to phase out certain types of plastic bags are underway after Environment Minister Barbara Creecy gazetted draft amendments to the National Environmental Management Act.
Among the most important changes is the ban on the manufacture, trade, and distribution of domestically produced and imported plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags that do not conform to specifications for use in South Africa.
The Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries said the emphasis is on “post-consumer recyclate” material generated by households and other end users.
In terms of the directive, which was published on 7 August, plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags must be made from a minimum of 50% “post-consumer recyclate” from 1 January 2023.
In this instance, ‘post-consumer recyclate’ is defined as material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product which can no longer be used for its intended purpose.
The proposed amendments outlines the following ‘phase-out’ schedule:
- Plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags must be made from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recyclate by 1 January 2023;
- Plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags must be made from a minimum of 75% post-consumer recyclate by 1 January 2025;
- Plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags must be made from a minimum of 100% post-consumer recyclate by 1 January 2027.
“Plastic waste has not only become a challenge in diverting it from going to landfill sites but has grown to be one of the most problematic waste streams that continues to harm the environment.”
Creecy said the amendments flowed from the review of all policies affecting plastic bags in the country, and whether the intended objectives of addressing the plastic bag litter problem and the promotion of the re-use and recycling of plastic carrier bags have been achieved.
Fines and jail time for offenders
Anyone found to be contravening these new directives shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding R5 million or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years.
In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, liable for a fine not exceeding R10 million or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, and in both instances, to both a fine and imprisonment.
Not good enough
Greenpeace Africa, while calling the move “encouraging,” is urging the public to join them in submitting comments to the Department’s Director General Pamela Nxumalo, calling for a complete ban on single-use plastic bags.
“Recycling is a false solution and will not yield any tangible results. We need a mindset shift away from single-use culture if we are to solve it. Greenpeace Africa is calling for a complete ban on these products, since only 9% of all plastic ever created has been recycled.”
Angelo Louw, Plastics Lead for Greenpeace Africa.
The environmental lobby group says 35 countries across Africa have either passed a law banning plastics and implemented it or have passed a law with the intention of implementation.
Plastic bans in Kenya and Rwanda have had tremendous impacts on safeguarding the environment, said Greenpeace citing a recent UN Environment report.
“Greenpeace Africa urges the South African government to follow suit and join other African countries leading in the global fight against plastic pollution.”
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