WeeklySA_AdminDEFY:Companies who defy the rule could face heavy fines
By Thuli Zungu
Companies who produce plastic carrier bags have six years to comply with South Africa’s Plastic Carrier Bags and Plastic Flat Bags Regulations as amended (published under Government Notice R.625 in Government Gazette 24839 of 9 May 2003) and Section 59 of the Consumer Protection Act.
Last Month Ceres Fruit Juice heeded the call by the government to fight against marine litter and plastic pollution and moved away from plastic to paper straws. Acting Commissioner, Thezi Mabu-za says the regulations prohibit the manufacture, trade, or commercial distribution of domestically produced or imported plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags, for use within the Republic of South Africa, other than those which comply with the Compulsory Specification for Plastic Carrier Bags and Flat Bags.
These regulations are relative to section 59 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) which em- phasizes “recovery and safe disposal of designated products or components, ‘ says Mabuza.
“As a result, plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags must be made from a minimum of 50% post consumer recyclate from 1 January 2023, 75% of recycled materials from the start of 2025, and must comprise 100% post-consumer recyclate from 1 January 2027,” she says.
Failure to comply with the regulations is pun- ishable by law, according to Mabuza . She says any person who contravenes the regulations could face a fine not exceeding R5 million- or five-years imprisonment. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the person could be imprisoned for up to 10 years or face a R10 million fine.
Mabuza says the consequences of plastic waste on the ecosystem and our health are far-reaching and potentially fatal. “Plastic products are more likely to end up in our ocean instead of being reusable options.”
Mabuza says the government aims to join the world in the global fight against marine litter and plastic pollution.
The government regulations aim to green the economy by enhancing the quality of plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags and by reducing the volume and impact of plastic products on the environment.
Through the regulations on plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags, different measures are being applied to different products.
These measures are proportionate and custom- ized to get the most effective results, and also take into account if more sustainable alternatives are available.
