Firstly, thank you to my colleague, Hefin David, for bringing forward this really important debate to the floor of the Senedd today. As we know, single-use plastics and the pollution they cause represents one of the most serious environmental challenges facing the world today, and it can be difficult to see the real impact that any individual can have, but action must start, as has been said already, at a local level. I'm also pleased to welcome the work being done across Caerphilly borough, as a former Caerphilly councillor, to reduce plastic waste, with the council leading by example. But change will not be instant, and the innovative project group that has been mentioned and established within the council will help to reduce the amount of plastic used across the authority. In taking an evidence-based approach, the council will be able to set its example to residents across Caerphilly, and outline the steps we can all take to reduce our plastic waste.

But the place and perceived importance of plastic to us all is demonstrated by the fact that we nearly all have plastic pens with us today—I've probably got three—and is demonstrated by the fact that 60 per cent of the kerbside recycling picked up by Caerphilly council is plastic. Although it is of course good news that this plastic is being recycled, the best way to reduce our waste is not to purchase or use it in the first place. 

So, I'd like to join with Hefin in congratulating the work of the borough's first zero-waste shop, Plant 2 Plate, and I realise, from the owner's own words, that it's also important that we have a pan-Wales approach with regard to the collection, for instance, of the vegetable packaging, which although is not plastic, looks as if it's plastic and is currently not being recycled.