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Regulating Plastic Products: Policies, Regulations, and Initiatives

This presentation outlines key policies, legislation, and priority plastic products for regulatory control, focusing on plastic carrier bags, packaging, and single-use plastic products. It discusses the impact of global plastic use, recycling, and current regulatory work in progress. The briefing covers important stakeholders and the legislative context in South Africa, emphasizing the need for regulating certain plastic products to address environmental concerns. It also explores potential regulatory options for plastic carrier bags, microbeads in cosmetics, plastic packaging, and single-use plastic products.

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Regulating Plastic Products: Policies, Regulations, and Initiatives

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  1. BRIEFING TO PCEAREGULATORY CONTROL OF CERTAIN PLASTIC PRODUCTS27 FEBRUARY 2019

  2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION • Introduction • Key policies, legislation and regulations • Priority plastic products for regulatory control • Plastic Carrier Bags • Plastic Packaging • Single Use Plastic Products • Key stakeholders • Current Regulatory Work in progress

  3. INTRODUCTION • Global plastic use continues to increase, ~4% per annum, with 322 million tonnes produced worldwide in 2015 (Plastics Europe, 2016). • Production of plastics accounted for 4 to 8% of global fossil fuel use in 2015 (World Economic Forum et al., 2016, Plastics Europe, 2016, Al-Salem et al., 2009). • Whilst South Africa accounts for less than 0.5% of global plastics production, this still amounts to 1 518 000 tonnes of plastics consumed in South Africa annually (Plastics SA, 2018).

  4. INTRODUCTION: VIRGIN PLASTIC CONSUMPTION

  5. INTRODUCTION: PLASTIC RECYCLATE

  6. INTRODUCTION

  7. INTRODUCTION: PLASTIC USE

  8. INTRODUCTION: RECYCLING

  9. MARINEPOLLUTION Jambeck et al. 2015, Science 347: 768-771 Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean J en n a R. J ambeck ,1* Rol an d Geyer ,2 Chr i s W i l cox, 3 Theodor e R. Si egl er ,4 M i r i am Per r yman ,1 An t hon y A n dr ady,5 Raman i N ar ayan , 6 K ar a L aven der L aw 7

  10. KEY POLICY / LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT 2014 NEM: Waste Amendment Act PCBs Regs 2011 National Domestic Waste Collection Standards 2016 Pricing Strategy S 28 Notice: Paper and Packaging & electronic IndWMPs (compulsory EPR schemes) 1998 NEMA 2000 Integrated Pollution and Waste Management Policy 2008 Waste Act 2003 Plastic Bag Regs 2012 National Waste Management Strategy 2001 Polokwane Declaration

  11. PRIORITY PLASTIC PRODUCTS FOR REGULATORY CONTROL • Emphasis on flow of short-lived plastics through the economy due to their consistent presence. Packaging comprises the majority of short-lived plastic products: - Low Density PolyEthylene (LDPE) & High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) mainly for plastic bags flows are being analysed in order to inform the recyclate content standard - PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polypropylene (PP): Soft drinks packaging and textiles - Polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chlorine (PVC) and bio-plastics significance for environmental benefits

  12. PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS AND PLASTIC FLAT BAGS • MOU signed between Government, Labour and Business - stipulated that standards would be developed for a minimum percentage of recyclate content for plastic garbage bags and bin liners. • Plastic Bag Regulations promulgated in May 2003, and the dti’s Compulsory Specification For Plastic Carrier Bags and Flat Bags in June 2003. • In 2012 SABS developed a National Standard for Garbage Bags and Bin Liners, SANS 1264:2012. The Standard prescribes that garbage bags and bin liners are made of a min of 10% post-consumer recyclate. • However, through the consultative process in support of legislating this standard, the plastics industry expressed concerns as to whether there is sufficient post-consumer recyclate to meet the minimum content requirements.

  13. PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS AND PLASTIC FLAT BAGS

  14. PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS AND PLASTIC FLAT BAGS

  15. PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS AND PLASTIC FLAT BAGS: PRELIMINARY POTENTIAL EMERGING REGULATORY OPTIONS • Option 1: Explore and undertake research for better management of plastic bags including exclusive promotion of certified alternatives to plastic bags e.g. • Biodegradable and compostable plastic bags • Paper bags • Photodegradation bags • Option 2: Status quo continues with VC 8087 filler restriction amendment and increase in plastic bag levy

  16. MICROBEADS IN COSMETICS • Option 1: Phase out the use of microbeads in cosmetics through amendment of Cosmetics Regulations under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act administered by the Department of Health • Option 2: Promulgate regulations under NEMA for the section 44(1)(aA) and (aB) • Option 3: Status quo continues

  17. PLASTIC PACKAGING Notice in terms of Section 28 of NEMWA published 6 December 2017 calling for Paper and Packaging Industry Waste Management Plans: “Packaging" means any material, container or wrapping, used for the containment, transport, handling, protection, promotion, marketing or sale of any product or substance, which may be primary packaging, containing the actual product or secondary packaging, typically containing products already packaged in primary packaging but excludes - (a) shipping containers used solely for the transportation of any consumer commodity in bulk to manufacturers, packers, or processors, or to wholesale or retail distributors thereof; (b) packaging made of timber and textile or (c) plastic pallets and industrial bulk containers (IBCs) with a capacity exceeding 1 000 litres.

  18. PRIORITISED SINGLE USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS

  19. PRIORITISED SINGLE USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS

  20. KEY STAKEHOLDERS • DEA, the dti, National Treasury and SARS, DST, DoH, Provincial Depts of Environment and Municipalities • Waste Management Bureau • Industry (Packaging SA, Plastics SA, PETCO, CTFA, Recyclers, Importers, Exporters, Manufacturers, Retailers, etc.) • Civil Society • Researchers • CSIR, SARS, SABS, NRCS

  21. CURRENT REGULATORY WORK IN PROGRESS • Working with the Department of Health and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority on phasing out microbeads in cosmetics. • Separation of waste at source guideline. • The Paper & Packaging IndWMP will assist with separate collection, sorting and treatment (3Rs). • Assessment of regulatory control of other single use plastic products (earbuds, straws, cutlery, stirrers) is underway.

  22. CURRENT REGULATORY WORK IN PROGRESS • Working with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) on the amendment of the VC8087 to restrict the use of fillers in plastic bag manufacturing (Compulsory Specification on plastic carrier bags). • DEA is working with National Treasury and the dti is reviewing the implementation and the effectiveness of South Africa’s plastic bag policies, with a view to making recommendations for policy improvement including if necessary on a new plastic bag policy direction.

  23. THANK YOU

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