Changes to Welsh Waste Legislation – Bulletin

From 6th April 2024 ALL Workplaces in Wales MUST separate their waste for recycling, the Welsh Government have introduced new regulations that will require all businesses to separate recyclable materials from other waste.

As part of the new legislation, the following materials will need to be separated for collection, and collected separately:

  1. Food – for premises that produce more than 5kg of food waste a week.
  2. Paper and card
  3. Glass
  4. Metal, plastic, and cartons and other fibre-plastic composite packaging of a similar composition
  5. Unsold small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
  6. Unsold textiles

There will also be a ban on the following:

  1. Sending food waste to sewers
  2. Separately collected waste going to incineration plants and landfill, including a ban on all wood waste going to landfill.

Why is this happening:

The Welsh Government have set a National Target to Recycle 70% by 2025 and become a zero-waste nation by 2050. These new targets are focused on improving the quality and quantity of recycling collected across Wales.

Who does it affect:

The legal requirements to separate waste for recycling will affect:

  1. All Workplaces – including businesses, the public and third sector
  2. Those who collect the waste, or arrange for waste to be collected
  3. Those who collect, receive, keep, treat or transport waste who will need to keep the waste separate from other types of waste or substances

What Next:

  1. Review on site operations to identify which recycling streams you produce.
  2. Contact Ecofficiency if you feel that you would benefits from an on-site audit.
  3. Once waste streams have been identified Ecofficiency can work with you to identify the best size, type and number of containers you require to meet the regulatory change.

Cost of Non-Compliance:

Natural Resources Wales are enforcing the new legislation, and if the Producer of the waste has banned recyclable materials in their general waste then you could face a £300 fine for every offence.

Link to Guidance:
https://www.gov.wales/separated-waste-collections-workplaces

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