The Welsh Government consulted on the Code of Practice and enforcement and sanctions proposals for the workplace recycling regulations covering the Business, Public and Third sectors between 23 November 2022 and 15 February 2023.
The consultations set out the detail of the intended requirements for all businesses, the public and third sector organisations, to separate key recyclable materials in the way the majority of Wales’ householders already do. The reforms will improve the quality and quantity of recycling and provide consistency in the way we collect recyclable materials to realise significant carbon savings and positive benefits for the economy.
Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, MS, has issued a Ministerial Written Statement, Written Statement: Business, Public and Third Sector Recycling Reforms consultation responses and new coming into force date (27 April 2023) | GOV.WALES, which is accompanied by the publication of:
- summaries of the consultation responses received Proposals for enforcing business, public and third sector recycling regulations in Wales | GOV.WALES and
- a Competition Assessment examining the effects the legislation could have on business competitiveness Increasing recycling at workplaces: assessment of effects on competitiveness | GOV.WALES
The feedback from the consultation will now be considered in finalising the legislation and the Code of Practice prior to laying the legislation in Autumn 2023 and, subject to the will of the Senedd, bringing them into force on 6 April 2024.
A national campaign will be running throughout 2023 and 2024 to raise further awareness of the recycling requirements in the workplace. Practical resources will be provided to support workplaces and the waste sector to prepare for the changes, such as best practice guides, case studies and downloadable posters and signage.
These reforms are a key part delivering the Programme for Government commitment to build a stronger, greener economy based on the principles of sustainability and the industries and services of the future. This is also an essential component of the action being taken to decarbonise and tackle the climate and nature emergency.