Mike Hedges MS welcomes ground-breaking new Bill to ban single-use plastics in Wales

Mike Hedges MS welcomes ground-breaking new Bill to ban single-use plastics in Wales

Local Member of the Senedd, Mike Hedges MS has welcomed the introduction of a new Bill to reduce the flow of plastic waste damaging wildlife and the environment in Swansea East.

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.

It will provide local authorities with powers to enforce the offence, and covers:

• Cutlery;
• Plates;
• Stirrers;
• Drinking straws, with 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; and
• All products made of oxo-degradable plastic.

The decision to include these products follows a consultation in 2020, with all having non-plastic or reusable alternatives.

Welcoming the Bill’s introduction to the Senedd, Mike Hedges MS said:

“Tackling the climate and nature emergency is one of my key priorities as your Member of the Senedd. Most plastic is made from fossil fuels, so reducing its use can help our efforts towards net zero, helping reduce our carbon footprint to minimise the worst impacts of the climate emergency.

“By working together in Swansea East to make lifestyle changes and choose re-usable products, we can save money and help fight the devastating impacts of climate change.

“I am pleased that the Welsh Labour Government has been able to bring this important piece of legislation forward so quickly – a key Welsh Labour pledge for the Senedd election in 2021.”

In 2011, Wales was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a charge for single-use carrier bags. Wales is also currently ranked as the world’s third best domestic recycler.

Now, the Welsh Labour Government will be at the forefront of action on plastic with Wales set to become the first part of the UK to legislate against such a comprehensive list of single-use plastics.

The Bill will also give Ministers the power, with the support of the Senedd, to add or remove products, placing Wales in the driving seat for future action.

ENDS