CAPE TOWN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- South Africans on Tuesday marked the World Environment Day with calls to reduce the use of plastic bags.

In a message to the nation, South Africa's environment minister Edna Molewa said eradicating plastics pollution begins with small, individual consumer actions such as avoiding single-use plastic products and with recycling existing ones.

South Africa is committed to minimizing plastic pollution and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is considering a raft of measures to curb plastic pollution, said Molewa.

In order to phase out the use of micro-beads in the production of cosmetics, the DEA is in consultation with the cosmetics industry in this regard.

"Plastic pollution is particularly insidious because once plastics enter into the environment, they do not biodegrade, but simply break down into smaller pieces over time," Molewa said.

"This has a detrimental effect on our environment, more so once this pollution enters our oceans and endangers marine life and fragile marine ecosystems," she added.

The minister said the government is about to launch a nationwide campaign with the aim of changing attitudes and behavior towards waste and environment and mobilizing citizens to keep their communities clean.

This year's World Environment Day is observed under the theme beating plastic pollution.

Rallies were held in parts of the country, with calls on South Africans to join hands to eradicate plastic pollution.

In partnership with Plastic SA, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in South Africa took the opportunity to encourage South Africans to beat plastic pollution.

"We want to encourage the community to show your commitment by reducing, reusing and recycling refuse plastics," said Cecilia Njenga, head of UNEP in South Africa.

According to a study recently conducted by the DEA, only 21 percent of plastic waste is recycled in the country.