9. Short Debate: Plastic-free Caerphilly, Plastic-free Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:01 pm on 6 February 2019.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 6:01, 6 February 2019

Can I thank Hefin for bringing this subject to the Assembly today and really wish the Caerphilly campaign well? Last week, I facilitated the deposit-return scheme machine, which was on display. I think many Members came along and tested it out. And it is really, really easy to use—I can just see us all getting into a habit of using that, lots of small children wanting to put the bottles into the machine and then get the ticket out with a credit. It is not onerous.

As Joyce said, plastic is wreaking havoc on our marine environment, and we really need to do something to stop this. I hope that we can follow the good practice in Scotland, where they're moving forward on this agenda. I welcome the joint consultation on a deposit scheme undertaken now by the UK and Welsh Governments. It really can't happen quickly enough, in my view. 

And can I quickly finish my contribution by commending the Marine Conservation Society, who brought the deposit machine into the Assembly last week, for the outstanding work that they've done in this area?