Single-use plastics to be phased out by the National Assembly

THE National Assembly is to phase out single-use plastics, it has announced.

Plastic water cups will be replaced by compostable bio plastic and paper alternatives as existing stocks are used up.

Disposable cutlery and salad pots will also be replaced with a compostable plastic that breaks down over time.

Takeaway containers have already been replaced with a card-based material.

The announcement, which will be implemented by this September, was made by the Assembly Commission on World Environment Day.

The Assembly removed disposable coffee cups from the estate more than five years ago – something other public sector organisations are only now implementing.

None of the Assembly’s waste goes to landfill as the Commission operates a full recycling and recovery service for all products from the estate.

Caroline Jones AM, Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for security and resources, said: “The National Assembly has been at the forefront of environmental and sustainable practices since its inception.

“The Senedd is a great example of our ethos with its biomass boiler and rainwater harvesting systems.

“As we have seen through powerful programmes like The Blue Planet, plastic can have a devastating impact on our environment.

“While 80% to 90% of our waste is recycled and none sent to landfill, the Assembly Commission has been working towards phasing out the use of plastics across the Assembly estate.

“I am proud to say we will be single-use plastic free by September 2018, setting a benchmark for organisations in Wales and across the UK to follow.”