Question NW1186 to the Minister of Environment. Forestry and Fisheries
25 October 2019 - NW1186
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Environment. Forestry and Fisheries
What progress has been made since her reply to question 33 on 04 July 2019 with reviewing the effectiveness of her Department's policies relating to the management of plastic waste?
Reply:
On 11 July 2019, as part of the Department's budget vote, I indicated that the management of waste, in particular single use plastic waste, Is a matter that also requires the most urgent and pressing attention.
The Plastic Bag Regulations and the plastic bag levy are two mechanisms Government has used to influence consumer behaviour and reduce littering. The Department is currently assessing single-use plastic products which include: plastic carrier bags, straws, earbuds, crockery and cutlery. The department will be conducting various stakeholder engagements in this regard.
In addition, the Department of Environmental Affairs Is in the final stages of completing a study on the review of the plastic carrier bag and flat bag policy Instruments in South Africa, with the aim of determining their effectiveness and to provide research evidence that may inform alternative policy instruments.
Strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders are also important as plastic pollution is a global issue which cannot be solved by Government alone. As a result, I have signed a partnership agreement with the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance. Under the alliance, the Department is working on the implementation of the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CUP) in South Africa through the roll-out of the Source to Sea programme. The programme will be piloted in Ethekwini by the end of this financial year (2019).
The Department, in partnership with Plastics SA and the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, will be hosting The Plastic Colloquium from 21 to 22 November 2019 in the Gauteng Province. The colloquium is positioned around six key working groups which are already established and Include:
1) Product standards validation/authentication/definition/labelling.
2) Product design, development and innovation.
3) Integration of the informal waste economy.
4) Biodegradable and compostable plastics.
5) Infrastructure.
6) Consumer Education and Awareness.
Regards
MS BD CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
DATE: 24/10/2019