The Welsh Government is setting out a package of measures to
deliver on commitments it set out in its Beyond
Recycling strategy earlier this month.
The actions form a key part of Wales’ drive towards becoming a
zero-waste, carbon net-zero nation by 2050, or earlier.
These include increased funding to roll out of electric
collection vehicles and circular economy projects across Wales,
an immediate moratorium on new large scale energy from waste and
upcoming game-changing reforms on plastic.
This month will also see electric vehicles being rolled out for
recycling and waste collection services in Newport, Cardiff and
Powys.
As well as being good for the environment, the vehicles generate
lower running costs and less noise, with the Welsh Government
allocating an extra £3m to expand the programme.
The Welsh Government is also building on the success of its
support to innovative projects across Wales through its Circular
Economy Fund – which is already –supporting 180 innovative
projects in all parts of Wales.
The additional support being made available will bring the
funding to more than £80m.
Last year, Wales achieved its highest ever recycling rate, at
over 65% - and has set out ambitions to become the world leader.
As a result the need to burn waste, or send it to landfill, will
reduce and the Welsh Government is putting in place an immediate
moratorium on new large scale energy from waste plants. The new
moratorium will cover new energy from waste plants with capacity
of 10MW or more, and will come into effect immediately.
The moratorium will also mean small-scale plants, of less than
10MW, will only be allowed if applicants can show there is a need
for such facilities in the regions in which they are planned.
Small plants would also need to supply heat, and – where possible
– be carbon-capture and storage enabled, or ready.
Action is also being taken to tackle plastic pollution, with two
upcoming consultations covering game-changing reforms for plastic
packaging and a new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers.
These measures are being developed jointly with the other
Governments within the UK and will see less waste generated, more
items re-used and recycled, and less litter. They will also
incentivise better design and an increase in the use of recycled
materials in packaging.
, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural
Affairs, said: “We are proud that we are well on our way to
making Wales a zero waste and carbon net-zero nation.
“We are already a global leader when it comes to recycling, but
today’s announcements show how we are taking action to go further
and accelerate Wales’s move to a Circular Economy.
“This means not just recycling well, but taking bold action to
get the most value out of the materials and avoid waste arising
in the first place.
“From electric collection vehicles on our streets to the Circular
Economy Fund supporting re-use shops and repair cafés in our
communities, people across Wales will see important changes from
these actions in their communities.
“The moratorium on large-scale energy from waste and the upcoming
consultations on plastic packaging and deposit return are a clear
statement of our intent. Collectively they show how we are taking
action to make the circular economy a reality in Wales by keeping
resources in use and avoid all waste
“These actions aren’t only tackling the climate emergency and a
biodiversity crisis, but are also crucially building resilience
in our economy and our communities as we look to recover from the
pandemic.”
