South Africa faces a significant plastic pollution crisis, with citizens using over eight billion single-use plastic bags annually. Despite an existing levy intended to discourage their use, recycling rates remain critically low, at less than 1%. The vast majority of these bags end up in landfills and natural environments, posing a serious threat to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This pollution leads to harm for wildlife through entanglement and ingestion, as well as the creation of harmful microplastics. Experts argue the current levy is insufficient and are calling for a complete ban on single-use plastic bags. The scale of the problem highlights the urgent need for more effective environmental regulations and sustainable alternatives. Failure to address this will continue to damage South Africa's environment and biodiversity.