Barriers to successful implementation of plastics management policies in Africa: A case study of South Africa's plastic pollution management challenges.

IF 8.4 4区 环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Mbuyiselwa Shadrack Moloi, Dana Kühnel
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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.

在非洲成功实施塑料管理政策的障碍:南非塑料污染管理挑战的案例研究。
塑料污染是一种严重的环境威胁,对生态系统、生物多样性和人类健康产生深远影响,最近被认为是更广泛的地球危机的一部分。虽然全球努力制定了解决塑料整个生命周期的先进政策,但南非在国内政策制定方面取得了显著进展,特别是通过批准针对海洋和跨境塑料污染的国际公约。尽管取得了这些进展,但在将政策转化为行动方面仍然存在重大挑战。在国内,尽管存在监管机制,包括针对一次性塑料和扩大生产者责任(EPR)计划的监管机制,但实施差距仍然存在。一个关键的障碍是缺乏广泛的环境教育和公众意识运动,这限制了公民的参与和行为改变。此外,支离破碎的城市废物系统和将非正式废物收集者排除在正式废物治理结构之外,进一步加剧了这一问题。这些系统性挑战导致自然环境中持续的塑料积累和脆弱生态系统的持续退化。本文建议,任何政策执行或绿色倡议都应得到协调一致的国家环境意识运动的支持。此外,正如现有监管规定所概述的那样,非正式的拾荒者——他们对塑料回收做出了重大贡献——必须正式纳入EPR计划。虽然针对塑料袋的政策已经到位,但执行力度有限,一次性塑料继续构成重大挑战。为了加强塑料废物治理,南非应考虑分阶段禁止有问题的一次性塑料,同时推广负担得起的可持续替代品。与其他发展中国家相比,南非在政策方面取得了值得赞扬的进展;但是,需要加大对以公民为中心的执行战略的投资。如果不采取这样的行动,精心制定的政策就有可能仍然无效,无法产生有意义的环境成果。
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来源期刊
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESTOXICOLOGY&nbs-TOXICOLOGY
CiteScore
5.90
自引率
6.50%
发文量
156
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.
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