Welsh government to ban single-use plastics

A bill to ban single-use plastics in Wales is set to be laid before the Senedd today.

The bill is set to contribute on the journey towards net zero and help reduce carbon footprints.

As one of the first countries in the world to charge for single-use carrier bags, Wales is currently ranked as the the world's third-best domestic recycler. Wales is now set to become the first part of the UK to legislate against such a list of single-use plastics.

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill will make it an offence to supply or offer to supply littered and unnecessary disposable single-use plastic products to consumers in Wales.

The bill covers cutlery, plates, stirrers, 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 and all products made of oxo-degradable plastic. Drinking straws are also included though they have an exemption for health needs.

These products are included following a consultation in 2020 and all have non-plastic or reusable alternatives.

Local authorities will have the authority to enforce the offence.

The bill will also give ministers to the power to add or remove products.

The Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: "This is a big moment in our journey towards a plastic-free Wales.

"Single-use plastic products are often seen littered in our streets, parks and seas. Not only are they unsightly, but they have a devastating impact on our wildlife and environment.

"With a Team Wales effort, we have to say no to the single-use item culture, so we avoid leaving a toxic legacy of plastic for future generations to deal with.

"By thinking differently, making lifestyle changes and choosing re-usable products, we can save money and help fight the devastating impacts of climate change."

Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, Louise Tambini said:"Keep Wales Tidy welcomes legislation to ban single-use plastics. It is a positive step on our journey towards truly 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."

Image: Pixabay