Welsh Government launches waste prevention plan

The Welsh Government reinforced its commitment to zero waste by 2050 with the launch of its waste prevention programme in Cardiff today (December 3).

The plan, which sets out how businesses and households in Wales can reuse or extend the life of products, will also see the Government aim to cut household and commercial food, paper, and plastic packaging waste by 1.2% every year until 2050, derived from a 2006/07 baseline.

Other targets include a 1.4% reduction in industrial, and construction and demolition waste by 2050, which were subject to public consultation, and separate collections of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) with work to encourage more repair, reuse, and resale of everyday items.

Minister for Natural Resources and Food Alun Davies, who launched the programme at Brains’ Terra Nova bar in Cardiff Bay, said the main objective of the plan was to decouple waste generation from economic growth, enabling households and businesses to reduce waste while at the same time saving on costs.

The minister also met with representatives from Welsh brewery Brains and independent wholesaler Castell Howell at the event, two companies which have worked with the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to prevent food waste entering their supply chain at 120 pubs and restaurants.

Mr Davies told letsrecycle.com: This is part of a much wider cross governmental approach not only with waste but a much wider economic focus on how we use resources. The fundamental ambition we wish to give is to create the conditions for a circular economy in Wales. We not only want to develop the size of our waste ambitions but also we say that waste is a resource that can be used again and again.

We do not want a disposable economy in Wales. Historically we have always taken great care of our possessions and I think that it is the basis of a virtuous circular economy.

Recycling

Asked how he thought Wales recent recycling performance of 52% fared against a lower overall rate of 43.2% recorded in England, the minister said it was unfair to compete with the rest of the UK, given recycling and prevention targets were part of a larger EU-wide initiative.

Commenting on the Governments plans to roll out a consumer engagement programme as part of the programme, Brains head of retail marketing Jill Matthews said a balance needed to be struck between delivering an option to reduce food portion and consumer expectations.

Edward Morgan, of Castell Howell, added reducing food waste in the supply chain had been a significant target, but by focusing on the preparation, spoilage and plate waste of steak dishes from farm to fork, both companies had reduced costs and carbon emissions.

As well as restating targets set out in the 2010 Towards Zero Waste initiative, the Welsh waste prevention programme complies with the EU Waste Framework Directive which requires member states to develop their own waste prevention mandates by December 12 this year.

Last month, the Scottish Government published 20 waste prevention actions in addition to its Zero Waste Plan, with projections to reduce all waste in Scotland by 7% by 2017, and 15% by 2025 (see letsrecycle.com story).

England

In England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has yet to release its waste prevention plan, which attracted criticism both the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and the Resource Association on first reading of the consultation paper in August (see letsrecycle.com story).

The English waste prevention plan is expected to be published later this month.