Wales is to become the first part of the UK to legislate against a list of single-use plastics, as the Senedd approves legislation to ban selling unnecessary, disposable products to consumers. The legislation will take effect in autumn 2023, and it will give local authorities the power to enforce the offence of supplying or offering to supply commonly littered items, which have non-plastic or reusable alternatives.
The new law is being introduced, following a consultation with the public and other stakeholders, to help reduce the flow of single-use plastic waste into the environment. Wales is currently ranked as the world’s third best domestic recycler and the Welsh Government hopes to take further steps to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.
The single-use plastics that are to be banned or restricted from sale in Wales from autumn 2023, include:
- Cutlery
- Plates
- Stirrers
- Drinking straws (with an exemption for people who need straws to live independently)
- Plastic-stemmed cotton buds
- Balloon sticks
- Expanded and foamed extruded polystyrene fast-food containers
- Expanded and foamed extruded polystyrene cups
- Polystyrene lids for all cups and fast-food containers
- Thin plastic single-use carrier bags (with exemptions e.g. for food hygiene)
- All products made of oxo-degradable plastic
READ MORE: We asked Welsh scientists how worried they are about climate change
The Welsh Government said all these items had non-plastic or reusable alternatives. It said the Bill would allow it, working with the Senedd, to revise the current list of banned or restricted products, which would mean ministers would be able to ban other types of environmentally harmful single-use plastic products in the future, by passing regulations. You can get more politics news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Speaking after the vote, climate change minister, Julie James, said it put Wales in the driving seat for future action: “As well as being unsightly, single-use plastics are extremely destructive to our wildlife and environment. Building a greener Wales requires a team effort. This new law builds on the efforts of communities, businesses and young people who have already chosen to go plastic free. Now is the time for all of us to think differently and change our habits to avoid leaving a legacy of plastic waste for future generations.”
Most plastic is made from fossil fuels. Reducing it can assist efforts towards net zero and help to minimise the worst impacts of climate change. The Minister added: “We will continue to work with industry, businesses, third sector bodies, academia, and others – ensuring we say goodbye to the scourge of this littered plastic from our streets, parks and seas for good.”
Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: “Keep Wales Tidy welcomes legislation to ban single-use plastics. It is a positive step on our journey towards transforming the way we consume plastics and reduce waste as a nation. Crucially, it paves the way for industry to move away from polluting practices which are damaging our environment and harming our wildlife.
“We hope that the powers granted in the Bill will allow Wales to respond to emerging threats of other single-use products as consumer trends continue to evolve.”
Louise Reddy, policy officer for Surfers Against Sewerage said: “As more plastic floods into the ocean every year, Wales’ ban on single use plastic is a great step to ending plastic pollution. We look forward to Wales continuing to stop plastic in its tracks by transitioning to a circular economy and ensuring polluters pay for the good of people and planet.”
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