MONDAY, 10 MAY 2004: May 9th marked the first anniversary of the Plastic Bag Regulations.
These regulations gave effect to a historic agreement between government, organized labour and the private sector, which has resulted in huge improvement in the extent to which plastic bags, known than as the "national flower", is now used in a sustainable manner.

On Thursday 06 May 2004 National Treasury announced a compulsory levy that will be charged on plastic bags. This has been set at an amount of 3c per bag (R2.13/kg). A proportion of the revenues collected through the levy will be used to establish the Buyisa-e-Bag Section 21 Company which is a joint venture between Government, labour and the private sector and is the mechanism through which the creation of SMME's, new jobs and training in the sector will take place.

"This agreement provided for: a minimum thickness of plastic shopping bags; disclosure and transparency with regard to the cost of these bags; stipulated the type and amount of ink to be used on the bags; agreed on the need to promote a marked in recycled materials; provided for a levy on plastic bags; prevented the importation of non-compliant bags and committed itself to promoting the aims of the Proudly South African Campaign. In the past year great progress has been made in achieving these aims." said Ms Joanne Yawitch, Deputy Director General of Environmental Quality and Protection at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as she welcomed the levy announced by National Treasury.

The use of thicker bags combined with charging for them has made it clear that plastic waste has a price and a value. Consumer awareness of both the costs of plastic bags and the positive environmental impact of reuse has been greatly increased. In addition Customs and Excise now ensure compliance of imported bags with the set standard of a minimum 24-micron weight per bag

Another positive result emerging from the process that informs the Plastic Bag Regulations is that government is exploring similar agreements with other industries. This will result in sustainable economic development and job creation in tandem with improved environmental performance.

FRIDAY, 7 MAY 2004: May 9th marks the first anniversary of the signing into law of the Plastic Bag Regulations. These regulations gave effect to a historic agreement between government, organized labour and the private sector, which has resulted in huge improvement in the extent to which South Africa's former "national flower" is now used in a sustainable manner. Congratulations are due to all the parties to this agreement as well as to the South African public for the gains made in this period.

This agreement provided for: a minimum thickness of plastic shopping bags; disclosure and transparency with regard to the cost of these bags; stipulated the type and amount of ink to be used on the bags; agreed on the need to promote a marked in recycled materials; provided for a levy on plastic bags; prevented the importation of non-compliant bags and committed itself to promoting the aims of the Proudly South African Campaign. In the past year great progress has been made in achieving these aims.

The use of thicker bags combined with charging for them has made it clear that plastic waste has a price and a value. Consumer awareness of both the costs of plastic bags and the positive environmental impact of reuse has been greatly increased. In addition Customs and Excise now ensure that all imported plastic bags have a letter of authority issued by the South African National Standards (SANS formerly SABS). The SANS then conduct inspection, testing and enforce through the set standards.

In addition, this week, the National Treasury published the quantum of the compulsory levy that will be charged on plastic bags. This has been set at an amount of 3c per bag (R2.13/kg). A proportion of the revenues collected through the levy will be used to establish the Buyisa-e-Bag Section 21. Company which is a joint venture between Government, labour and the private sector and is the mechanism through which the creation of SMME's, new jobs and training in the sector will take place.

The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding was a first and critical step in a commitment by Government, labour and the private sector to a policy approach and sector plan that links waste minimization and improved environmental performance to the creation of jobs and new enterprises. As such, and given the positive impacts of the Plastics Bags agreement it is anticipated that the next year will see not only further progress in this sector, but similar agreements with other industries that will result in sustainable economic development and job creation in tandem with improved environmental performance.