The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, has engaged members of the South African Plastics Pact on advancing the country’s circular economy.

This collaboration signals the department’s steadfast commitment to driving sustainability, sparking job creation, and fuelling economic growth through innovative environmental solutions.

“My vision is to harness the ingenuity of the private sector to forge a sustainable future that creates jobs and drives economic growth while responding to international calls for cleaner environments.

“The South African Plastics Pact’s pioneering success inspires us to refine our policies and accelerate South Africa’s leadership in the global circular economy,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

The South African Plastics Pact, led by GreenCape, unites 50 leading organisations, including industry giants like Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Woolworths, representing 35% of South Africa’s plastic economy.

The Pact has achieved significant progress towards its 2025 goals, reducing plastic straws by 91%, achieving a 45% output recycling rate, and increasing average recycled content in packaging to 18%.

The Minister on Monday engaged with Pact members on their concerns regarding regulatory uncertainty and complexities surrounding Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), which are critical for assessing the environmental impact of plastics.

He announced plans to review Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and address the proliferation of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), which has posed hurdles in the plastics value chain.

By partnering with the private sector to streamline regulations, clarify LCA methodologies, and optimise the role of PROs, the department is paving the way for businesses to innovate, minimise environmental impact, and boost economic prosperity.

“These bold achievements demonstrate the impact of collective action in curbing plastic waste and promoting circularity, directly addressing global concerns about plastic pollution’s role in exacerbating climate change,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said.

Originally posted on SAnews.gov.za