The Measure will allow us to ban certain materials from landfill and ensure that we significantly increase our recycling rates
Jane Davidson, Welsh environment minister
The exact nature of any proposed ban or restriction will be informed by the outcomes of a joint consultation between between Wales, Defra and the other devolved administrations, into the benefits and practicalities of banning or restricting particular wastes from landfill, which is expected to be launched in the next few weeks (see letsrecycle.com story).
The WAG proposals form part of a Measure, covering four waste issues, laid before the National Assembly yesterday (February 22) by Welsh environment minister Jane Davidson.
The power to develop Measures such as this comes in the wake of the Government being granted greater autonomy over its waste affairs under the Environmental Legislative Competence Order (LCO) 2010, which was made last week (see letsrecycle.com story).
Commenting on the proposals, Ms Davidson said: “We all know that landfill is the most environmentally damaging option for waste. The Measure will allow us to ban certain materials from landfill and ensure that we significantly increase our recycling rates.”
Targets
Including in the Measure laid before the National Assembly are also proposals to grant the WAG powers to set statutory municipal waste recycling and composting targets for local authorities, and the power to fine councils which fail to achieve these goals.
This proposal would give the WAG the ability to enforce goals set-out in its draft ‘Towards Zero Waste' strategy for Wales, such as a 70% municipal waste recycling and composting target for 2025.
The strategy was hailed as the UK's “most ambitious” recycling strategy when it was unveiled for consultation in April 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story). The final strategy is due to be published in late Spring 2010, although a fixed date has not been finalised.
Ms Davidson added: “If successful the Waste Measure will enable us to achieve the ambitions set out in our strategy ‘Towards Zero Waste' – that is becoming a high recycling country by 2025 and a zero waste country by 2050.”
In addition, the Measure would also give the WAG the power to impose a mandatory levy for single-use plastic carrier bags and help ensure, should a voluntary agreement with retailers fail, that they pass revenue gained from plastic bag charges onto specified environmental projects.
The fourth element of the Measure is a proposal to introduce fees and a charging scheme for Site Waste Management Plans with regards to the construction and demolition sector in Wales.
The National Assembly will now scrutinise the Measure and is expected to report on it by June 25, with a vote of the full plenary of the Assembly due after the summer recess.
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Assembly Government told letsrecycle.com that there is currently no set date for when landfill bans would be introduced under the Measure.
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