If countries do not urgently resolve to decisively tackle plastic pollution, the repercussions of the lack of consensus at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution will haunt the world for generations to come.
Plastic pollution is a global problem. So wide is the problem that this year’s World Environment Day theme was #BeatPlasticPollution. According to the UN Foundation, more than 430-million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, most of which ends up discarded as waste after single use.
Most polluted plastic ends up making its way downstream into our rivers and oceans, where it is estimated that 11-million tonnes of plastics enter our ocean every year, in addition to the 200-million tonnes that already flows through marine environments.
With plastic being non-biodegradable — meaning it simply breaks apart into smaller pieces over time creating what’s known as nano plastics, which can over time be hazardous — much of the world’s plastic pollution makes its way into human and animal bodies.
In SA specifically, it is estimated that more than 2.5-million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, and of the plastic that turns into waste about 35% leaks into waterways and the marine environment in Southern and East Africa.
Without the required interventions, global plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2060. The consequences will be catastrophic for human health, the environment and our marine environments.
These numbers are obviously staggering, and possibly overwhelming, to digest. But they are real. They are a sobering reminder of the urgency that is required to deal with this problem.
SA walks the talk on plastic pollution
SA supports global efforts to combat plastic pollution in various ways, which is why we have been vocal, committed participants of the INC process since its establishment in 2022. The purpose of the sessions is to finalise and agree on an international legally binding instrument that addresses plastic pollution, including marine plastic, and covers the full life cycle of plastics, from production and design to disposal.
Such an instrument is also expected to align with existing global commitments on climate change, biodiversity and chemical safety. For this reason, SA should, and will continue to, do its best to see this process through to what we hope will be a successful end, despite the current frustration due to a lack of consensus.
SA’s commitment is clear — while we wait for the world to agree on an international plastic pollution treaty, we will continue to do what is within our power to put an end plastic pollution while creating a fair, practical regulatory environment.
Tackling microplastics
One of ways we have been doing this is through the research work done by scientists on the SA Agulhas II, who are doing incredible research to understand microplastic contamination in various environments, particularly in SA offshore fish species.
— Putting an end to plastic pollution in SA, and hopefully in the rest of the world, is a non-negotiable. For future generations to thrive socially, economically and otherwise, the environment they will live in will need to be healthy and conducive.
We have also taken decisive steps to bring the country closer towards this vision. One of those steps has been the recent publication of draft regulations aimed at prohibiting the production, distribution, sale, import and export of plastic microbeads and products containing them. This marked a significant step in the nation’s battle against plastic pollution.
These proposed regulations, issued under the National Environmental Management Act, seek to eliminate the use of plastic microbeads — tiny solid plastic particles smaller than 5mm in diameter, commonly found in cosmetics, personal care items, pesticides, toiletries and other products.
Once enacted, the rules will impose a blanket prohibition on these microbeads, with provisions for monitoring, evaluation and strict penalties for noncompliance, including fines up to R10m or imprisonment for up to 20 years in cases of repeated offences.
Plastic microbeads are deceptively small, which may lead people to think that they are harmless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Their effect on our oceans and wildlife is enormous and long-lasting. Banning them means preserving our biodiversity while also ensuring a healthier future for generations to come. Once finalised, these regulations will be an important step in the work towards the reduction and, eventually, eradication of plastic pollution.
Regulating single-use plastics
Another important step SA is taking, is the necessary groundwork towards the complete banning of single-use plastics, which are a huge hindrance in our efforts to protect our environment. Single-use plastics refers to all disposable plastic products, including plastic straws, food containers, shopping bags and coffee cups.
These plastic products are designed for single or brief use and are then discarded, which is a problem as they are non-biodegradable and end up breaking down into microplastics that pollute land, water and food. This waste then harms marine life through entanglement and ingestion and contributes to landfill burdens and greenhouse gas emissions.
While the groundwork towards the eradication of microbeads and single-use plastics continues, taking the time to understand and mitigate against the economic implications thereof, it is important to continue elevating the existing efforts to curb plastic pollution.
The 4R approach and producer responsibility
SA adopts a “4R” (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover) approach, which forms the foundation of all plastic pollution management strategies in the country.
Extended producer responsibility, managed through the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment, is an environmental policy strategy that the government uses to hold producers responsible for product management throughout the product’s lifecycle — that is, from production right through to the post-consumer stage.
This means that beyond manufacturing, importing, exporting and distribution, plastic producers also have the responsibility to collect, recycle and reuse the products when consumers are done using them.
Another of the country’s strategies to curb plastic pollution is the plastic bag environmental levy, which was introduced in 2004 with the view to reducing litter and encouraging reuse by increasing the cost of single-use plastic bags.
What does the future hold for plastics in SA?
Putting an end to plastic pollution in SA, and hopefully in the rest of the world, is a non-negotiable. For future generations to thrive socially, economically and otherwise, the environment they will live in will need to be healthy and conducive.
Our country has the requisite innovation, policies and political will to significantly shift the needle and realise a world free of plastic pollution. The missing pieces of the puzzle are stronger public will and the global commitment to turn intention into impact.
• Dr George is forestry, fisheries & environment minister.
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