Ban on plastic bags delayed

The threatened ban on thin plastic bags that was due to have been implemented in South Africa this year has been delayed, ‘Business Day’ reported on Monday. Consumers will now have to wait until September before knowing whether the bags normally used to carry groceries are to be banned outright. Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa published draft regulations in May last year to ban production of the thin plastic bags. However, fears about possible job losses and the effect of the imminent ban on the economy are first being researched before final decisions are taken.

The regulations stated: “The aims are to restrict the production of very thin non-reusable plastic bags that are indiscriminately dumped into the environment and to promote recycling by specifying a minimum thickness for plastic shopping bags.” Moosa’s war on thin plastic bags is being delayed by research into the consequences and effect on the economy. The research was started last month and focuses on issues like employment, direct and indirect job losses, changing working conditions and the effect on workers and families. The fund is also looking into the manufacture of the bags, the potential for alternatives, consumers and distortions that may arise in the markets should the regulations go through. Last year, the minister sent out a strong message to repeat offenders in the war on plastic bag pollution that they could be looking at heavy fines or even time in jail.

He proposed a switch-over period of six months for retailers this year to do away with what he termed a “blight on the SA environment.” He wanted industry to introduce bags by June this year that are at least 80 microns thick. Bags with a thickness of less than 30 microns were to be done away with to get the country in line with environmentally friendly practices in countries like Europe. The thicker bags would be reusable and easier to recycle, Moosa said. But the minister met with stiff opposition from quarters such as the Plastics Federation of SA, which warned that the proposals were “horrendous” and would cost the country 2,000 jobs in the manufacturing industry.