Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:38 pm on 12 December 2018.
Just a few quick points. I really welcome this proposal and congratulate the Member on bringing it forward. I agree, it's very difficult to go much further with recycling—we've got to reduce, reuse, and recycle. I'm very pleased that the Member mentioned the deposit-return scheme issue, as did Llyr Gruffydd. Because I think that it is a bit of a no-brainer, really, that we should bring in a deposit-return scheme. And I'd also like to ask the Minister whether there is anything that she can say to update us in relation to what is going on in working together with England about bringing in a deposit-return scheme. I had some dealings with the Llangattock Litter Pickers, who gave statistics—which I'm sure the Minister and the Member have seen—about the number of plastic drinks bottles, which are easily the biggest component of any litter that is collected. So, that's the one point, that I'm very pleased about the deposit-return scheme, and wondered whether we could have a comment about that.
And then the second point is really—Hefin David referred to it—that we need public buy-in. I do think that there would be public buy-in for this bit of legislation. I know the Minister has visited my constituency, where we launched plastic-free Rhiwbina, along with our MP, Anna McMorrin, and that has spread to different parts of the constituency. And last week I went to Llysfaen Primary School, where they've got an eco committee who have got a whole list of proposals that they would like to bring in, and one of them is about reducing packaging. One of their commitments is to try to ensure that their parents don't buy food that is heavily packaged. So, I think there is that wish and that goodwill there, so I thoroughly support this proposal.