Bernice Swarts, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,
has reiterated the country’s commitment to boost recycling capacity to tackle plastic pollution.
Swarts made the remarks at the International Solid Waste Association World Congress, taking place in Cape Town from Sept. 15 to Sept. 18 with the
theme “Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future.”
This is the first time that the event has taken place on African soil.
“There are various activities planned aligned to the fight against plastics pollution and marine litter.
“South Africa is increasing recycling capacity for the management of plastic waste and eliminate plastic pollution,” said Swarts.
“South Africa is also implementing product design regulations on prioritised plastic products. Recycled content is a regulated
requirement for prioritised plastic products as part of improving circularity.”
In 2023, the South African Government put a restriction to a minimum of 50 per cent recycled content as part of the product
design measures for plastic carrier bags.
The intention is that by 2027 plastic carrier bags and black refuse bags should be made from 100 per cent recycled material.
Swarts noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Climate Change Act on July 23.
“The Climate Change Act enables the alignment of policies that influence South Africa’s climate change response to ensure
that South Africa’s transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy,” Swarts said.
In her speech, the deputy minister also called on the private sector to invest in recycling capacity to help tackle the
plastic pollution problem. (Xinhua/NAN)
