"Wales to become first ‘Refill Nation’ in the World" - our response

Friends of the Earth welcomes the range of measures announced by the Environment Minister, Hannah Blythyn, yesterday (08 May 2018) which aims ‘to consolidate Wales's place as the leading UK nation for recycling and reducing waste, as well as her ambition for Wales to be the World’s first ‘Refill Nation.’

In a press release the Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government will work with Defra and other devolved administrations on a UK based deposit scheme for drinks containers and amendments to Producer Responsibility Obligations Packaging Waste Regulations. The Government are also considering a tax, levy or charge on single-use beverage cups for Wales. For more information on these, and other measures, please read the Welsh Government Press release.

Responding to the announcement, Haf Elgar, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

“Wales has made great strides ahead with recycling in recent years, but we can do better. Recycling is important but we need to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place. We all know the terrible damage plastic pollution has on our seas and wildlife, and the impact making plastic has on our climate.

We’ve all got a responsibility to reduce our use of plastic, and ultimately phase-out plastic for all but the most essential uses. We’re pleased that the Minister is committed to take action and is considering a Deposit Return Scheme, a single-use cup tax and putting more responsibility on producers and businesses. We need to act urgently. Wales led the way with a carrier bag charge and recycling – let’s do the same with plastics and packaging.”

Plastic is quickly becoming one of our generation’s biggest threats to the environment. To reduce our dependence on it, Friends of the Earth Cymru are calling for a ban on single use plastics, a levy on unnecessary plastics and a bottle deposit return scheme.

Read more about Friends of the Earth Cymru’s campaign on plastic.