7. 7. Debate: The Circular Economy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:08 pm on 17 October 2017.

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Photo of David Rowlands David Rowlands UKIP 5:08, 17 October 2017

UKIP fully supports and applauds the Welsh Government’s strategies on recycling in Wales, and acknowledges the outstanding progress made so far.

There is, of course, more to do if we are to achieve the ambitious target set for the next few years. Given that the Welsh public has, to a great extent, taken on board the whole concept of recycling, is it now time that the Welsh Government began to concentrate on the companies that produce much of the non-recyclable waste, blister packs and cellophane packaging being some of the biggest culprits? I believe that many in this Chamber share my frustration at the amount of waste we have to commit to the landfill bin because the items are deemed non-recyclable.

Whilst I appreciate that much of this packaging is done outside Wales, particularly in the supply of supermarket chains, there are many companies within Wales that now supply a sizeable proportion of goods to supermarkets and surely it is in the capability of the Welsh Government to encourage the supermarkets themselves to eliminate packaging as much as possible.

I would echo many in this house who advocate deposit-returnable items, and think that the Welsh Government could go so far as opening special facilities that would offer deposit-return to the public at large, effectively becoming additional collection points to the retail trade. One word of caution here, however, is the deposit would have to be high enough to encourage the return without disparaging the sale itself. If it were to impact on sales, the retail trade would be far less likely to support this scheme.

One area not specifically covered by the Cabinet Secretary, but, in considering the circular economy, we cannot ignore, and that is the motor car, which in itself is a major contributor to waste if it is not handled properly. All too often, the recycling of car trade components has been carried out in a haphazard manner by small-scale scrap facilities that do not take a holistic approach to breaking cars. I would call upon the Welsh Government to look favourably on the establishment of purpose-built facilities that would address all the aspects of car dismantling, including the proper disposal of oils and braking fluids, even to the extent of funding their development.

Can I make one other point in closing? I do not think the travelling fraternity has received proper recognition for the contribution they have made to recycling over many decades, long before recycling became a fashionable item, and that they continue to make that valuable contribution to this present day.