10. 6. Debate: Municipal Waste and Recycling

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:17 pm on 14 March 2017.

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Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour 6:17, 14 March 2017

So, not just ethnic minorities, but others as well. I think the Member would have been better using that contribution to apologise to the people in Cardiff, rather than make opportunities there.

And the issue that Michelle Brown raised as well, I listened very carefully to that. She belittles the issue around carrier bag charges. Long gone are the days, I hope, where we saw trees covered in carrier bags. We used to grow them in Wales, but now that doesn’t seem to appear. We’ve managed to control that issue. There is also the issue that we have to be responsible for the population, but everybody’s got a responsibility around waste. In my contribution, at the start, I did mention to the Member and the Chamber about enhanced producer responsibility and the issue around food waste as well, so I would hope that I’ve given the Member some confidence in terms of what we’re able to do here in Wales.

Simon Thomas, again, very supportive with his contribution, and is long a campaigner on environmental standards.

Can I just pick up on the last two points with the Conservative Members? Russell George gave me some challenges. Well, I’ll give him some responses, and Darren Miller, his companion, the chewing gum champion from the north. They say one thing, but really they mean another. They say that they’re supportive of recycling and it’s going really well, but, actually, when it comes to the proof of the pudding, they want to object to all the changes that local authorities need to do in that process. [Interruption.] It is true, because let’s take the Russell George. I understand, Russell. You asked me about what can Powys do—you’re a councillor in the authority—and what else we can do to help. What it does help with Powys council is when they’re able to spend their budget, but I believe that you voted against their budget in terms of allowing them to create a better environment for recycling.