Plastic bags deserve a second life, not a ban
RECENT calls to ban plastic carrier bags or replace them with paper overlook an important reality: South Africa is less than five months away from a significant circular-economy milestone that will require compliant plastic carrier and flat bags to contain 100% post-consumer recyclate from 1 January 2027.
According to Anton Hanekom, Executive Director of Plastics SA, abandoning plastic carrier bags now would undermine years of investment in recycling and market development at precisely the point when South Africa is positioned to close the loop.
“The 2027 deadline should be recognised as an environmental opportunity, not a reason to abandon plastic carrier bags. Moving to 100% post-consumer recycled content creates a significant and sustainable end-market for locally recovered plastic. Removing that market will risk weakening the economics of collection and recycling,” Hanekom says.
Claims that paper or other materials automatically offer a more environmentally responsible alternative are also not supported by life-cycle research. Plastics SA has previously highlighted the CSIR findings showing that plastic carrier bags compare favourably with alternatives on factors including water and land use, carbon emissions and overall environmental footprint.
Hanekom cautions against assuming paper bags are equally practical for every local consumer. “Many consumers rely on taxis, trains or walking to transport groceries home. They need a carrier bag that is strong, affordable, moisture-resistant and capable of being reused.”
Plastics SA stresses that while plastic litter remains unacceptable, banning carrier bags will not repair inadequate municipal waste collection or prevent other waste from entering the environment.
The priority should instead be keeping valuable materials in circulation through separation at source, effective collection and recycling.
“Stronger enforcement is also needed against non-compliant, ultra-thin bags, including imported products that do not meet South Africa’s regulatory requirements,” Hanekom advocates.
“We believe that the answer is not to replace one material with another and hope that litter disappears. It is using resources responsibly, reusing them for as long as possible, collecting them effectively and recycling them into new products. From 2027, South Africa has the opportunity to demonstrate exactly that with a carrier bag made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic,” Hanekom concludes.
