South Africa's commitment to banning plastic microbeads amid global treaty negotiations

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has reaffirmed South Africa’s support for urgent and coordinated international action to end plastic pollution across its full life cycle, with the country moving to ban plastic microbeads. 

George is leading the South African delegation attending the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) on Plastic Pollution, currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland.

The session is a critical opportunity to finalise a legally binding global treaty to tackle plastic pollution. 

“Plastic pollution is one of the fastest-growing environmental threats facing our planet. South Africa supports the conclusion of a legally binding agreement that will help reduce plastic waste and promote a more sustainable future for all,” said George.

Global plastic production has grown rapidly, from 2-million tonnes in 1950 to 475-million tonnes in 2022. Without urgent intervention, South Africa’s plastic pollution is expected to nearly double by 2040 compared to 2020 levels, the department said.

In response, South Africa has moved to ban plastic microbeads. Draft regulations have been signed and are set to be published for public comment. These regulations aim to prohibit the manufacture, import, export, sale and distribution of microbeads and products containing them.

“South Africa is acting with urgency to address this crisis. But no country can solve it alone. We need global cooperation, innovation and ambition,” said George.

The INC process was established by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2022, following the adoption of a resolution to develop a treaty addressing plastic pollution, including marine plastic. While the first part of INC 5 took place in Busan, Republic of Korea in November 2024, a final agreement was not reached, and negotiations have resumed in Geneva.

The expected treaty will cover the full life cycle of plastics, from production and design to disposal. It will also align with existing global commitments on climate change, biodiversity and chemical safety.

Meanwhile, South African civil society commended the bold signal from the department to ban plastic microbeads and products containing them at a national level. 

“By recognising the environmental and health harms of microplastics like microbeads, the government is demonstrating how to translate global concern into national action. It also provides a clear example of how to tackle both supply and demand pressures that continue to fuel the plastic pollution crisis,” the South African CSOs Coalition (GAIA Africa, Green Anglicans, Greenpeace Africa, GroundWork, South African Waste Pickers Association and WWF South Africa) said.

“The timing of this ban is significant, coming just as the negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty are underway in Geneva. Plastic microbeads, commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products, are just one of many sources of microplastics that enter our waterways, oceans, and even our bodies. Therefore, this is the kind of leadership needed in the global plastics treaty process.”

The organisations urged South Africa to champion legally binding global bans and phaseouts of the most harmful plastics and chemicals of concern.

Cape Times