POLLUTION LEVY
Only half of plastic bag levy has gone to support recycling
Only about half of the nearly R2bn raised through the plastic supermarket bag levy has been officially allocated to recycling. The levy was introduced 14 years ago and was originally meant to go towards development of the recycling sector. The figure has emerged since the plastic bag levy featured in then finance minister Malusi Gigaba’s budget speech. Gigaba said the levy would rise to 12c a bag on April 1. The levy is applied to the manufacturers of the plastic bags but is ultimately passed on to consumers, who buy the bags at tills for varying prices from 60c up. It was introduced in 2004, coupled with a minimum limit on the thickness of the bags to aid recycling and promote re-use, after a pact between the Department of Environmental Affairs, labour and business. The intention was to encourage shoppers to use fewer bags and thereby reduce plastic pollution and pressure on overstretched landfills. The money raised was meant to develop the recycling industry and expand its workfor...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.