Welsh Government publishes its Single-use Plastic Products Bill
The Welsh Government has recently introduced the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill to the Senedd, with the intention to ban 11 single-use plastic items in Wales.
The Bill now progress through the legislative process at the Senedd. This progress can be tracked via the following link: https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=39822
If passed, this new legislation will make it an offence to supply or offer to supply littered and unnecessary disposable single-use plastic products to consumers in Wales. Welsh Government also clarified that a person who is outside Wales would commit an offence if they “supply” a prohibited single-use plastic product to a consumer who is in Wales (for example through an online or mail order sale).
The Bill provides local authorities with powers to enforce the offence, and includes:
- cutlery
- plates
- stirrers
- drinking straws – this product has an exemption for health needs
- 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
Importantly, the Bill also includes a regulation-making power to enable Welsh Ministers to add or amend the SUP products that are subject to this offence. They will first be required to report on the products that they are considering. Such regulations will be made subject to the approval of the Senedd.
The BRC is looking at convening a members discussion with Welsh Government officials on the Bill, its implications and timings. If you are interested, please get in touch with Nadiya.