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Plastic Bag Levies Are Not Being Put Into Good Use |
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by Rosa Domingos | 05-10-2018 21:25
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The plastic bag levy has raised approximately close to R2-billion, yet somehow, South Africa still faces a plastic pollution crisis. In South Africa, plastic pollution has reached epic proportions. We assumed that after the then-Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, announced the increase in plastic levies to 12 cents in April 2018, much more would be done in addressing and increase recycling efforts. According to reports by online news feeder 눼Business Day눼, of the almost 2-billion ZAR that has been raised through the plastic supermarket bag levy, but only R919.6-million has been allocated to recycling efforts. The levy is applied to the manufacturers of the plastic bags but resultantly is passed down to consumers, who buy the bags at till-stations for various prices, for instance from 60c up. This increase was introduced in 2004, simultaneously integrated with a minimum limit on the thickness of the bags to aid recycling and promote re-use. This was done when the Department of Environmental Affairs, labour and business joined forces with the finance minister. The objective of increasing the price of plastic bags was to encourage people to purchase them less, and instead, consider reusing the ones that they have. Treasury reveals where the plastic bag levy allocation goes to After attempts to get some perspective from the National Treasury on this issue, the department?s response was that it had deemed that the money raised from the plastic bag levy was not exclusively committed to the recycling sector. Treasury does not consider tackling plastic pollution as a critical priority. The rest of the money was, according to the department, transferred to the National Revenue Fund (NRF) and from there would be allocated to different government departments. In my opinion, the fact that government does not see the issue of plastic pollution as a critical problem to address is upsetting and shocking. Plastic pollution, and especially microplastics, have been the cause for so much concern with regards to the health of our people. I think that even if they decided to allocate a portion of the money out, they should at-least make sure that an increase in recycling efforts are met. Reference list Sicetsha,. A. 2018. Plastic bag levy doesn?t go to increasing recycling efforts. [Online]. Available: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/plastic-bag-levy-doesnt-increasing-recycling-efforts/. Oct 03, 2018. Accessed: Oct 05, 2018. Image Sicetsha,. A. 2018. Plastic bag levy doesn?t go to increasing recycling efforts. [Online]. Available: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/plastic-bag-levy-doesnt-increasing-recycling-efforts/. Oct 03, 2018. Accessed: Oct 05, 2018. |
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10 Comments
Greetings rosa
I hope you are doing well
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Sus
Posted 15-03-2020 16:37
Hey Joon!
Absolutely, I believe people from all levels of duty have not yet understood the gravity of the situation enough. Hence more campaigns need to roll out to address this behaviour.
We need to rise, be woke and advocate where we can!
Thank you Joon!
Posted 08-10-2018 00:17
Hey Bonface!
Firstly, I would like to thank you for the comedation! Secondly, it is quite sad that the issue of recycling and plastic pollution is not seen as an important issue to address. You'd think that with all the awareness campaigns going on that our government would strive to tackle the issue, but it seems not to be so.
You're right, such an issue should never be sidelined.
Thank you Bonface!
Posted 08-10-2018 00:13
Hey Gyeongrin!
Yes, I think that prioritisation is most important when facing pollution that could weigh a detrimental effect on our environment and people.
Proper prioritising brings about proper fund allocation. Moreover, selecting the right patch of people from high and low positions with specific mandates to address the pollution problem does go a long way.
Thank you Gyeongrin!
Posted 08-10-2018 00:08
Hello Rosa, consistent exposure to the public concerned with threats that plastic pollution brings to us must be carried out to make people acknowledge this issue. Plastic pollution has become a worldwide issue but it seems like none of government is paying attention to this and implementing hard laws nationally.
We have to keep ourselves awake to this issue apparently.
Thanks for your report!
Posted 07-10-2018 23:56
Rosa, I love your writing.
It is plainly sad that the said levies are not utilised well in plastic waste management. Environmental issues should never be put on the back burner.
Posted 07-10-2018 18:59
Rosa,
It is so discouraging that governments are really yet to face waste pollution squarely. But, they are always eager to buy drugs and vaccines forgeting that 'A clean nation is a healthy nation.'
Revenue gotten from waste-use levy and charges should be used to improve the Nation's environment not to be diverted to another seemly good projectproject.
I really support Gyeongrin mentor's comment.
Thanks for the report.
Posted 07-10-2018 05:09
Hello Rosa
Environmental issues should be prioritized than before so that it could be supported with the right amount of attention and funding that it needs.
Hope the government could see the true intrinsic value of the environment and also the seriousness of the worsening waste management problem.
Thanks for the report :)
Posted 06-10-2018 23:48
Hi Nishan!
It is a global problem. And it is very much disturbing.
Posted 06-10-2018 03:06
Good report @ Rosa
Yes, Plastic pollution is not only problem there but in the world as a whole.
Same context is just going in our country Nepal ..
Posted 06-10-2018 00:26