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Significant success of plastic bag rules

The success of the plastic bag regulations could be measured by the significant reduction in the number of flat carrier bags used by consumers since 2003, Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said Monday, 22 June 2009.

Replying to a question from Annette Lovemore (DA), she said in 2003/04 about five billion bags were produced. By 2006/07 this figure had decreased by three billion - a significant reduction.

Sonjica said the levy collected on plastic bags was paid to Treasury. Funds were released to implement recycling and waste reduction initiatives through a Section 21 company.

Source: The Herald

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