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Analysis of the plastic-bag levy in South Africa

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  • Dikgang, Johane
  • Leiman, Anthony
  • Visser, Martine

Abstract

In an attempt to control the environmental problems posed by plastic shopping bags, the South Africa government combined elements of regulation with a levy per bag, similar to that applied by the Irish. Charging for bags commenced in May 2003 with a fixed nominal price of 46 rand cents for 24-l bags across all retailers, which was subsequently lowered. The levy charged had only short run success. Over time, the effectiveness of the levy has continued declining despite its comprehensive application at checkout points.

Suggested Citation

  • Dikgang, Johane & Leiman, Anthony & Visser, Martine, 2012. "Analysis of the plastic-bag levy in South Africa," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 59-65.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:66:y:2012:i:c:p:59-65
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2012.06.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Johane Dikgang & Martine Visser, 2012. "Behavioural Response To Plastic Bag Legislation In Botswana," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 80(1), pages 123-133, March.
    6. Johane Dikgang & Anthony Leiman & Martine Visser, 2012. "Elasticity of demand, price and time: lessons from South Africa's plastic-bag levy," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(26), pages 3339-3342, September.
    7. Reviva Hasson & Anthony Leiman & Martine Visser, 2007. "The Economics Of Plastic Bag Legislation In South Africa1," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 75(1), pages 66-83, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yong Li & Bairong Wang, 2021. "Go Green and Recycle: Analyzing the Usage of Plastic Bags for Shopping in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-10, November.
    3. Doris Knoblauch & Linda Mederake & Ulf Stein, 2018. "Developing Countries in the Lead—What Drives the Diffusion of Plastic Bag Policies?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Cabrera, José María & Caffera, Marcelo & Cid, Alejandro, 2020. "Modest and Incomplete Incentives May Have Very Large Effects: The Impact of Prices on the Demand for Plastic Bags," MPRA Paper 105051, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Rajendra Kumar Foolmaun & Dinkar Sharma Chamilall & Girish Munhurrun & Anand Sookun, 2021. "Was Mauritius really successful in banning plastic carry bags, after promulgation of the regulation prohibiting plastic bags usage?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 11660-11676, August.
    6. Cabrera, José María & Caffera, Marcelo & Cid, Alejandro, 2021. "Modest and incomplete incentives may work: Pricing plastic bags in Uruguay," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    7. Komang Adi Kurniawan Saputra & Daniel T. H. Manurung & Lia Rachmawati & Eka Siskawati & Franklin Kharisma Genta, 2021. "Combining the Concept of Green Accounting with the Regulation of Prohibition of Disposable Plastic Use," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 84-90.
    8. Adeleye Ayoade Adeniran & Winston Shakantu, 2022. "The Health and Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal in South African Townships: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, January.
    9. Juan-Pierré Bruwer & Lindiwe Mabesele & Timeeka Brown & Courtney Charles & Ingrid Coulter & Edlin Williams & Nadine Witbooi, 2021. "The Feasibility of Plastic Bag Usage for Newly Established South African Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Amidst Increases in Sin tax: An Online Desktop Study," International Journal of Business Research and Management (IJBRM), Computer Science Journals (CSC Journals), vol. 12(4), pages 175-190, August.
    10. Johane Dikgang & Martine Visser, 2012. "Behavioural Response To Plastic Bag Legislation In Botswana," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 80(1), pages 123-133, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Consumption; Environment; Levy; Litter; Plastic-bag;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics

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