New survey finds more than 70% of South Africans support plastic-free packaging as Greenpeace Africa calls for stronger action on plastic pollution
Johannesburg, 13 July 2026 — As Plastic Free July gets underway, Greenpeace Africa is urging the South African government to ban single-use plastic carrier bags by December 2026. South Africa’s plastic bag levy, introduced in 2004, has failed to curb plastic pollution and must be replaced with stronger regulation.
South Africans consume an estimated 8 billion plastic carrier bags each year, yet only around 1% are recycled, demonstrating that levies, waste management and clean-up efforts alone cannot solve the plastic crisis. A new survey found that more than 70% of South Africans support plastic-free packaging, as Greenpeace Africa calls for stronger action on plastic pollution, signalling strong public support for stronger government action to reduce plastic pollution.
“Plastic pollution has deeply unequal impacts. From open burning and dumping in low-income communities to the health threats of microplastics and toxic chemicals, it is often the most vulnerable who suffer the most,” said Hellen Kahaso Dena, Project Lead, Pan-African Plastics Project, Greenpeace Africa.
“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment must ban single-use plastic carrier bags, prioritise policies that support refill and reuse systems and invest in toxic-free circular economy solutions that will ensure a just transition that protects informal waste workers and frontline communities,” continued Dena.
South Africa continues to lag behind the more than 34 African countries that have introduced bans on single-use plastics. While some retailers have introduced reusable shopping bags, voluntary measures alone are not enough, as single-use plastic bags and excessive plastic packaging remain widespread.
“While many African countries are leading the world in finding solutions to plastic pollution through legislative mechanisms such as bans, South Africa is falling behind. Greenpeace Africa is calling on the South African government to show leadership and match the urgency of the crisis by outlawing the carrier bags by the end of 2026 and effectively strengthening and enforcing the extended producer responsibility regulation.” Dena concluded.
Plastic pollution threatens both the environment and human health throughout its entire lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction and production to disposal. Greenpeace Africa is also urging major brands and retailers to reduce their reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics and invest in sustainable alternatives.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- South Africans consume an estimated 8 billion single-use plastic carrier bags annually.
- Only around 1% of these bags are recycled.
- A 2025 Greenpeace Africa survey found that over 70% of South Africans support products without plastic packaging.
- More than 34 African countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics.
Media contact:
Hellen Kahaso Dena I Project Lead – Pan-African Plastics Project I+254 717 104144 [email protected]
Greenpeace Africa Pressdesk: [email protected]
