Firms facing fines if they don’t sort their recycling

HOLIDAY LETS, CAMPSITES AND PUBS AMONG BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY WELSH GOVT PLAN

A RAFT of businesses - from holiday lets to pubs and caravan parks - could face £300 fines for not separating recycling under proposed new rules.

Wales is one of the global leaders when it comes to recycling with municipal recycling rates going from just 4.8% in 1998-1999, to more than 65% in 2021-22.

The Welsh Government now says it wants to “increase the quality and level of recycling” from businesses, the public and third sectors in Wales. They say new rules will ensure all firms separate key recyclable materials in the same way the majority of Wales’ householders - and many businesses - already do.

There will be potential penalties for those who don’t comply with £300 fines for failing to meet “separation requirements”. These are similar separation protocols to households - with separate categories for food waste, paper and card; glass; metal, plastic, and cartons, small waste electrical and electronic equipment and unwanted textiles.

There would be the same fine for those who discharge food waste into the sewer system. In addition there would be a ban on separately collected recyclable materials from non-domestic and domestic premises going to incineration and landfill.

A £500 fine is proposed for businesses that facilitate the collection and disposal by landfill or incineration of this waste instead of taking it for recycling. Welsh Government is consulting on whether these fines are proportionate.

In the case of self catering properties it would be the owner or operator that would be liable rather than the holidaymaker.

The rules are proposed to come into force on October 1, 2023. The enforcement is part of a civil sanctions regime to encourage compliance with the regulations. If a person fails to comply with a final notice or stop notice, criminal proceedings may be brought in.

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said: “Every person in Wales has played their part in increasing our recycling rates exponentially. It has been a real Team Wales approach and recycling is now a part of who we are. In the World Cup of recycling, as the third best recycling nation, we’d be a shoo-in for the semifinals. But taking a page out of Cymru’s book, we want to go further.

“These proposals will deliver significant carbon savings, increase consistency in the way recyclable materials are collected across Wales and bring significant positive benefits for the economy. During this cost of living crisis especially, ensuring high quality material can go back into the Welsh economy is a key way in which we can improve the resilience of our domestic supply chains.

“Quite simply, these reforms are a key part of how we can build a stronger, greener economy creating a more prosperous Wales, now and for future generations.”

A spokesperson added: “For individual businesses and organisations, the reforms will help support the move away from waste disposal being a significant cost, to one where that waste material is instead effectively captured and returned into the economy.”

The consultations will be open for 12 weeks, closing on Wednesday, February 15 2023.