Question NW2141 to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Reply:

 

1. (a) and (b)

The rationale behind the phasing out (or banning) of plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags that are not manufactured from recyclate is to promote resource efficiency (that is, the use of recyclate as opposed to virgin material); improve waste management and create a demand for waste materials; increase circularity, recycling and recovery and to improve the design of environmentally sound bags and mitigate the economic impact of an outright ban of plastic carrier and flat bags.

This rationale is the result of extensive research and consultation with relevant stakeholders as well as consideration of international research and best practice.

 

(2). The Department has to consider the implications of any proposed policy interventions and the costs attached thereto as well as transitional measures. One of the critical stages of the Socio- Economic Impact Assessment System procedure is the identification of options, alternative, the implications (social and other) and the costs thereof. À policy recommendation needs B be guided by inter alia, evidence, B avoid unintended consequences. The Department is thereof e currently pursuing a study on single-use plastic products that would inform the policy direction. However, in the interim, the Extended Producer Responsibility is being put in place to manage items such as straws and cutlery. In this regard, the Department has been engaging industry and continues to do so. In addition:

(a).the Department has included straws as part of products to be controlled under Extended Producer Responsibility.

(b). the Department has included plastic cutlery as part of products to be controlled under the Extended Producer Responsibility.

©. The Department has also engaged the Department of Health b amend the Cosmetic Regulations b ban the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics.