South Africa takes decisive action against plastic pollution with ban on microbeads

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has reaffirmed South Africa's support for urgent and coordinated international action to end plastic pollution across its full life cycle, with the country moving to ban plastic microbeads.

- STAFF REPORTER

George is leading the South African delegation attending the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) on Plastic Pollution, currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland.

The session is a critical opportunity to finalise a legally binding global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

“Plastic pollution is one of the fastest-growing environmental threats facing our planet. South Africa supports the conclusion of a legally binding agreement that will help reduce plastic waste and promote a more sustainable future for all,” said George.

Global plastic production has grown rapidly, from 2-million tonnes in 1950 to 475-million tonnes in 2022. Without urgent intervention, South Africa’s plastic pollution is expected to nearly double by 2040 compared to 2020 levels, the department said.