Barriers to successful implementation of plastics management policies in Africa: A case study of South Africa's plastic pollution management challenges.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental threat with far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health, and has recently been recognized as part of the broader planetary crisis. While global efforts have advanced policies addressing plastics across their lifecycle, South Africa has made notable progress in domestic policy development, particularly through its ratification of international conventions targeting marine and transboundary plastic pollution. Despite this progress, significant challenges persist in translating policy into action. Domestically, although regulatory mechanisms exist-including those targeting single-use plastics and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes-implementation gaps remain. A key barrier is the lack of widespread environmental education and public awareness campaigns, which limits citizen engagement and behavioural change. Additionally, fragmented municipal waste systems and the exclusion of informal waste pickers from formal waste governance structures further exacerbate the issue. These systemic challenges result in persistent plastic accumulation in natural environments and the continued degradation of vulnerable ecosystems. The current paper recommends that any policy enforcement or green initiative be supported by coordinated national environmental awareness campaigns. Furthermore, informal waste pickers-who contribute significantly to plastic recovery-must be formally integrated into EPR schemes, as outlined in existing regulatory provisions. While policies targeting plastic bags are in place, enforcement is limited, and single-use plastics continue to pose significant challenges. To strengthen plastic waste governance, South Africa should consider a phased ban on problematic single-use plastics, coupled with the promotion of affordable, sustainable alternatives. Compared to other developing countries, South Africa has made commendable policy advances; however, a greater investment in citizen-focused implementation strategies is required. Without such action, well-crafted policies risk remaining ineffectual and failing to produce meaningful environmental outcomes.
期刊介绍:
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM) publishes the science underpinning environmental decision making and problem solving. Papers submitted to IEAM must link science and technical innovations to vexing regional or global environmental issues in one or more of the following core areas:
Science-informed regulation, policy, and decision making
Health and ecological risk and impact assessment
Restoration and management of damaged ecosystems
Sustaining ecosystems
Managing large-scale environmental change
Papers published in these broad fields of study are connected by an array of interdisciplinary engineering, management, and scientific themes, which collectively reflect the interconnectedness of the scientific, social, and environmental challenges facing our modern global society:
Methods for environmental quality assessment; forecasting across a number of ecosystem uses and challenges (systems-based, cost-benefit, ecosystem services, etc.); measuring or predicting ecosystem change and adaptation
Approaches that connect policy and management tools; harmonize national and international environmental regulation; merge human well-being with ecological management; develop and sustain the function of ecosystems; conceptualize, model and apply concepts of spatial and regional sustainability
Assessment and management frameworks that incorporate conservation, life cycle, restoration, and sustainability; considerations for climate-induced adaptation, change and consequences, and vulnerability
Environmental management applications using risk-based approaches; considerations for protecting and fostering biodiversity, as well as enhancement or protection of ecosystem services and resiliency.