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Mail & Guardian
09-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Microplastics act as ‘rafts', increasing the threat to environmental and public health
African countries, including South Africa, have limited waste infrastructure and uneven water treatment systems, which exacerbates the problem of antibiotic resistance. Photo: Sustainable Seas Trust While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is commonly linked to the overuse of antibiotics in hospitals and animal farming, an environmental contributor is increasingly coming into focus: microplastics. These small plastic particles, typically less than 5mm in diameter, are increasingly recognised not only as environmental pollutants but also as active vectors in the evolution and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Although the crisis is unfolding worldwide, low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable because of limited infrastructure and inadequate waste management systems. A perfect storm for AMR These plastic surfaces create ideal conditions for the formation of microbial communities known as biofilms. Within these clusters, bacteria can exchange genetic material more efficiently, including antimicrobial resistance genes. Moreover, microplastics tend to adsorb antibiotics and heavy metals from their surroundings, increasing the selective pressure that favors resistant bacteria. As a result, microplastics are transforming natural ecosystems into incubators of resistance. And these resistant bacteria do not remain confined. They can spread through water, air, food, and even within the human body. A global crisis with local vulnerabilities According to recent estimates, One illustrative example is the Further south, South Africa presents a particularly telling case. Despite being one of the continent's most developed countries, its waste management infrastructure continues to face serious problems. A 2024 study conducted in Health systems on the front line The African continent bears a high burden of infectious diseases, many of which are still treated with older, widely available antibiotics. If AMR continues to spread unchecked, the consequences will be severe. This includes not only loss of human life but also increased pressure on already fragile healthcare systems. Microplastics are complicating efforts to control resistant infections in ways that are not yet fully understood or reflected in current policies. Environmental reservoirs of resistance are rarely included in surveillance systems, and when they are, microplastics are often overlooked as a contributing factor. Towards sustainable solutions Addressing this complex and interconnected crisis requires action on multiple fronts. First, it is essential to reduce plastic production and improve waste management, especially in urban areas. Policies such as bans on single-use plastics and incentives for recycling can make a meaningful difference, provided they are properly implemented and enforced. Second, environmental monitoring systems should begin to include both microplastics and antimicrobial resistance genes as indicators of ecosystem health. This would allow policymakers to detect hotspots and take action before resistance spreads further. Third, the scientific community must broaden its focus. Although most research on AMR has concentrated on clinical and agricultural settings, the environment must now be recognised as a critical front. This shift requires interdisciplinary collaboration among microbiologists, environmental scientists, engineers, and public health professionals. Encouragingly, several promising innovations are emerging. Nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands, which use plants and microorganisms to clean wastewater, have shown potential to reduce both microplastic pollution and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes. These systems are cost-effective, adaptable, and well suited to the needs of many African regions. The role of public awareness Perhaps most importantly, we must acknowledge that this is not solely a scientific matter. It is also a social and political issue. People need to be involved in and empowered to reduce plastic consumption, demand improved sanitation, and understand the connections between environmental pollution and human health. Educational campaigns, particularly those aimed at young people and urban populations, can help shift behaviours and build public momentum for change. Public interest media play a vital role in making these connections visible and accessible to the broader public. Dr Jose L Balcazar is Senior microbiologist at the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Spain. His research explores the mechanisms and factors that promote antimicrobial resistance.
Mail & Guardian
05-06-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Beyond the bin: Rethinking bioplastic waste for a circular future
Bioplastics are made from renewable sources, which sounds ideal, but some are compostable or biodegradable only under certain conditions. Now Stellenbosch University has found that enzymes may be the solution.. Photo: Sustainable Seas Trust Plastic is everywhere. From packaging our food to building our homes and medical equipment, we've come to rely on it for nearly everything. But our dependence on plastic has come at a cost that the environment can no longer bear. We now know that plastic pollution is choking our oceans, polluting soils, harming wildlife, and posing a threat to human health. That's why this One solution that has garnered considerable attention is bioplastics. These materials resemble regular plastics in appearance and function but are made from renewable sources, such as corn or sugarcane, and often are certified as biodegradable or compostable. It sounds like a dream: plastic without the pollution. But the reality is more complicated. Not all bioplastics are created equal. Some are biodegradable, meaning they can break down naturally, but only under specific conditions. Others are compostable, but only in large-scale industrial composting facilities, not your backyard compost heap. Still others are bio-based versions of conventional plastics and don't degrade at all. Another key issue is that evidence suggests certifications are not aligned with real-world outcomes. Authorities are now addressing this through a review process, specifically to bring the EN13432 compostable certification — a European standard that defines the requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — closer in line with real-world end-of-life scenarios. The bottom line? These materials are often misunderstood by consumers, companies and even governments. Many people assume that tossing a bioplastic item into nature or a regular bin is fine, but without the right conditions, most of these materials don't degrade within the timeframes for which they were certified. Even worse, if they're sent to waste management facilities already processing other waste streams, such as PET recycling facilities that handle polyethylene terephthalate — a strong and durable plastic — they can disrupt and jeopardise these processes. Above all, when bioplastics are mismanaged, we lose valuable carbon that could have been recovered and reused, thereby undermining the very purpose for which these materials were created. The truth is that our waste systems are not designed to handle bioplastics, at least not now and not at scale. Take Italy, for example. The country has made significant progress in encouraging the use of bioplastics, even mandating their use for shopping bags, takeaway containers and the collection of organic waste. These bioplastics are legally required to be sent to organic waste management facilities, such as composters and anaerobic digestion plants. Despite good intentions, much of the bioplastic-containing waste is pulled out at the start of the treatment process, along with other large or 'unusual' items, and sent to incineration instead. Why? Because old treatment plants weren't designed to handle large quantities of bioplastics. This leads the facilities to believe that the risk of disrupting their processes is just too high to treat bioplastics properly. The problem isn't with bioplastics themselves; they can and should be a big part of the portfolio of solutions to combat plastic pollution. It's that existing waste management systems weren't built around them. Moreover, in the developing world, most cities lack proper industrial composting or anaerobic digestion facilities. There's little public awareness on how to dispose of bioplastics correctly. And our recycling technologies haven't caught up with the complexity of these new materials. As a result, the promise of bioplastics is falling short. But it doesn't have to be this way. At This means that less bioplastic waste is sent to landfills or incinerators, but also that we get as much value as possible from bioplastic materials before they are composted. It's a system designed not just to clean up plastic, but to recapture carbon — the most valuable currency in the world — and keep it cycling in the economy where it belongs. Of course, new technologies are only part of the solution. Public education is just as important. Most people still don't understand the difference between biodegradable and compostable, or how to identify a bioplastic in the first place. Clear labelling, public awareness, consistent regulations and accessible disposal systems are essential. It's also time for governments to step up. There is a need for investment in composting and recycling infrastructure, as well as extended producer responsibility laws that hold companies accountable for the waste their products generate. Additionally, incentives are necessary to encourage better product design and effective product management after use. Crucially, we must be honest about where bioplastics make the most sense. They're great for short-lived, disposable items, such as food packaging or compostable liners, where collection and treatment can be controlled. But they're not a blanket replacement for all plastic. In some cases, reusable options or better recycling systems offer more environmental benefits. Bioplastics won't fix our waste crisis overnight. They're not a silver bullet. But, with innovative design, responsible production, as well as proper disposal and waste management systems, they can be part of a much-needed shift toward circular, sustainable materials. And that's the future we need. One where resources aren't wasted, ecosystems aren't harmed, and people, businesses and governments work together to protect the only home we have. Consumers, too, have a role to play. Start by reading labels carefully. If something is labelled 'compostable,' it usually means it needs the high heat and controlled conditions of an industrial composting facility — not your backyard bin. So, compost carefully, and where possible, check if your local waste system accepts compostable plastics. If not, advocate for better infrastructure. Try to reduce single-use items altogether and support companies developing genuinely sustainable alternatives. Every action counts. When we work together, scientists, citizens, companies and cities, we can shape a future where waste is not just managed but transformed into a resource. Dominique Rocher is a co-tutelage PhD researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU) and the University of Padova. Dr Wessel Myburgh is a post-doctoral researcher at SU and the University of Padova. They are co-founders of Urobo Biotech, a waste-to-value spinout focused on enzymatic solutions for bioplastic-rich waste streams .
