Civil society commends the bold signal from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to ban plastic microbeads and products containing them at a national level. South Africa takes a step towards showing their ambition in addressing one of the key drivers of the global plastics crisis. By recognising the environmental and health harms of microplastics like microbeads, the government is demonstrating how to translate global concern into national action. It also provides a clear example of how to tackle both supply and demand pressures that continue to fuel the plastic pollution crisis.
The timing of this ban is significant, coming just as the negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty are underway in Geneva. Plastic microbeads, commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products, are just one of many sources of microplastics that enter our waterways, oceans, and even our bodies. Therefore, this is the kind of leadership needed in the global plastics treaty process.
Civil society urges South Africa to champion legally binding global bans and phaseouts of the most harmful plastics and chemicals of concern. This includes supporting an initial list of product and chemical groups that are already proven to cause significant harm to human health and ecosystems, and ensuring the list is strengthened over time. Plastic microbeads are part of the initial list proposed by a cross-regional group of 77 countries. Support for this initial list will ensure South Africa not only protects its own citizens but also ensures these regulations are harmonised globally.
South Africa should not only support such global measures, we should lead. We already have key policy tools in place nationally, including bans on certain plastic items and mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. These measures show that ambitious action is possible and effective.
Now is the time to raise the bar internationally. The world is watching. South Africa must stand with the ambitious group of countries pushing for a strong, legally binding treaty that prioritises reduction in plastic production to end plastic pollution for people and the natural environment.
Sincerely,
South African CSOs Coalition (GAIA Africa, Green Anglicans, Greenpeace Africa, GroundWork, South African Waste Pickers Association and WWF South Africa)