Barriers to successful implementation of plastics management policies in Africa: a case study of South Africa’s plastic pollution management challenges

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.