The South African city of Drakenstein could become the first local government in the country to ban single-use plastics, Infrastructure News reports.
The proposed comprehensive waste management bylaw would target plastic shopping bags, straws, stirring tools and polystyrene products. Public comment on the draft will last until November 30, 2025, with council approval expected in February of this year.
“Drakenstein Council is taking a bold step to create a more sustainable future for everyone who calls the valley home,” Councilor Stephen Korabie, the council’s executive mayor, said in the article.
The ban will directly benefit residents by reducing plastic-related toxins entering food and water systems. Microplastics in single-use items break down in waterways and soil, eventually entering the body through drinking water and seafood.
Louis Pienaar, executive director of engineering services, noted that the city is facing an ongoing problem with discarded single-use plastic products that are ruining the appearance of the area and creating a breeding ground for disease-carrying pests.
“We support the shift from a culture of constantly buying new products to a lifestyle that embraces reuse,” Pienaar explained in Infrastructure News.
The municipality is taking a phased approach, prioritizing education and partnerships over immediate penalties for the measure. Stores will transition to offering reusable bags with a thickness standard of at least 30 microns (approximately 0.03 mm), or switch to compostable materials.
Food service establishments will use alternative straws made of biodegradable materials, glass or metal. Officials plan to work with local agencies during the adjustment period rather than immediately impose fines.
The initiative also calls for recyclable waste to be delivered to informal waste collectors at the Paarl Waste Transfer Station, creating potential income opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The city recently completed the first phase of an organic food waste diversion project at an estimated cost of R8 million (approximately US$440,000).
According to the article, chamber members who attended the informational workshop overwhelmingly supported the proposal. Residents will be able to make verbal comments at Paarl Library, ensuring everyone can participate in the development of new policies.
“By reducing our reliance on single-use plastics such as straws, polystyrene products and plastic stirrers, we are protecting our environment and ensuring a cleaner future for generations to come,” Corabi said, according to Infrastructure News.
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