7. Statement by the Minister for Environment: Extended Producer Responsibility

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:13 pm on 8 May 2018.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 6:13, 8 May 2018

I thank the Member for his contributions. [Inaudible.] talking about the Refill nation proposals and the use of water fountains. I think you're right to raise that the issue of water fountains brings with it some complexity in terms of maintenance and upkeep and also issues around maintenance in terms of hygiene, as well. Although there are existing water fountains in a number of places, some of them are of an age when they had lead pipes, so, for that reason, it would be very problematic; you wouldn't want to bring them into use.

So, I think the idea of the Refill nation is to develop refill stations as much as we can, and that detail will come along in due course. But actually, to my mind, they're essentially more robust versions of what we see as a water fountain, which enables somebody to put their bottle on there and have it refilled. I've already spoken to representatives from local authorities on how we can work collectively both with partners at a local government level and with businesses to sign up to become part of the Wales Refill nation, and about what existing facilities we can use to create this network—can we use leisure centres, community centres and businesses? I've also written to my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport on how we can actually make more of our transport network in terms of providing refill stations at major hubs in the first instance, as well.

Fast-food packaging—yes, it's, you know, looking at wider EPR regulations in terms of can we encourage a consumer shift in terms of acceptance for using more environmentally friendly materials. I know, in terms of polystyrene takeaway packages, from the reports, that, actually, the percentage of that in terms of overall litter is extremely low, but, actually, the density of how we find it in certain areas around certain takeaway establishments or shops, it does give an image of prevalence there, and the more, the more—you know, notwithstanding, we do need to look at how we tackle that, because I know, like anybody here, that litter is one of the biggest issues in terms of constituencies and people contacting AMs, MPs and councillors alike.

On wet wipes, I see that's been in the news today, actually. I think one of the things around that too is looking at, actually, better packaging and labelling in terms of flushability, and investing in the technology to actually get more environmentally friendly materials. I'm told Water UK has a saying—I don't know whether I'm allowed to say it in the Chamber, but I'm going to—that the sewer system is only designed for the three Ps, paper, poo and pee, not plastics. So, if there's one thing for Members to take home—. But Dŵr Cymru have a Let's Stop the Block campaign, so I think it does come back to what we do in our work on education and behavioural change, coupled with, actually, how we address packaging and labelling to make sure people are clear on what can and can't go down the toilet, and actually not just saying, 'You can't do it,' but the reasons behind it, the impact it has on the environment—actually, not only on the environment, but it has an economic consequence in terms of—. I know that Dŵr Cymru spend around £7 million per year flushing out sewers as a consequence.