Shake-up for shops to reduce landfill waste
Government is aiming to create a ‘real’ circular economy
THE VALENCIA region took part in the presentation of a new national recycling law due to come into force at the end of this year.
The royal decree ‘deeply revises’ and updates legislation which was brought in more than 20 years ago, according to the ministry for the ecological transition.
It establishes ‘concrete measures and goals’ for packaging, containers and plastic bottles, etc, taking aim at the whole of the production and distribution chain, as well as local government.
‘Responsibility’ will fall on the producers of these products so they assume the total cost managing the waste.
They will be obliged to reduce the production of ‘rubbish’, encourage the sale of goods without packaging, increase the use of recyclable containers and promote recycling, which is in line with EU objectives.
The ministry’s aim is to ‘advance towards the creation of a circular economy’ and reach new recycling objectives in the years up to 2030.
The Valencia region attended
the presentation of the law on Friday in Madrid.
A spokesperson for the regional ecological transition department noted that they had been the only region to be invited due to their ‘continued improvement of the management of waste’.
Director general for environmental education in Valencia, Joan Piquer said they aim to make ‘quick advances’ with the help of the new legislation.
“We do not have any time to lose,” he said. “We have to do
all we can to put these new rules into operation, speeding up the transition to a proper circular economy.”
Sr Piquer noted that they had discussed the implantation of the new legislation and how it will affect industry, businesses and households. As well as obligations, it also presents ‘new opportunities’ as waste management is improved.
More detail
One of the goals of the law is to reduce single-use plastic bottles by 20% by 2030, based on last year’s figures.
Shops will have to present fruit and vegetables that are sold whole without packaging, so they can be bought ‘loose’.
However, this will not apply to lots which weigh more than 1.5kg, which can still be sold in packaging – as can a product that comes from a protected designation of origin; or from ecological production; or those which can go off quickly if they not packaged.
A complete list will be provided by the ministry and stores will have six months to comply with the legislation.
And, ‘to encourage loose sales’ larger supermarkets (over 400 square metres) will have to have at least 20% of their stores given over to this kind of commerce or items in completely recyclable packaging.
To further encourage this, they will have to accept customers’ reusable receptacles for loose products and even drinks – however, the stores can refuse them if they are ‘obviously dirty or not adequate’.
The ministry notes that the use of receptacles for drinks and liquids brought from home will bring a reduction in costs – both in production and waste management.
The legislation will encourage the use of recycled products in packaging, which will become mandatory for single use plastic bottles.
Manufacturers will be ‘rewarded’ by the government for producing recyclable products/ packaging or ones from recycled materials, and ‘penalised’ for ones that do not fit this category.