Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that The Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 have been laid, marking the “next phase” of Wales’ workplace recycling reforms.
Subject to Senedd approval, the Regulations would come into force on 6 April 2026.
Changes to WEEE legislation
Under the proposed legislation, non-domestic premises in Wales would be required to present all sWEEE separately for collection, rather than only separating unsold electricals, as is currently the case.
The Regulations amend the Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2023 and expects:
- Non-domestic premises to present sWEEE separately for collection
- Waste collectors to collect sWEEE separately from other recyclable materials and residual waste
- Those handling collected materials to ensure sWEEE is kept separate and not mixed
The changes are intended to increase both the quality and quantity of recyclable materials collected from workplaces, allowing valuable and finite resources to be recovered that would otherwise be lost.
Alongside the Regulations, the Welsh Government has laid a draft revised Code of Practice for the Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling, reflecting the new sWEEE requirement.
The final version of the Code of Practice will be published and laid before the Senedd after the Regulations are made.
90 new jobs expected
According to the Welsh Government, the new sWEEE requirements are expected to deliver “significant” environmental and economic benefits over a 10-year period.
The Regulations are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 7,437 tonnes and increase recycling by 37,757 tonnes.
Wider benefits are also anticipated, including the creation of around 90 new jobs in the waste management sector and a reduction in waste fires caused by lithium-ion batteries commonly found in small electrical items, which could lead to substantial additional cost savings for the sector.
The Regulations form part of Wales’ broader Programme for Government commitment to building a “stronger, greener economy” and tackling the climate and nature emergency.
Irranca-Davies said the measures represent “significant progress” in improving workplace recycling performance and recovering valuable materials from the waste stream.
A national communications campaign is already underway to help workplaces prepare for the changes ahead of the proposed April 2026 start date.
The Deputy First Minister added: “I look forward to engaging with Members of the Senedd during the Plenary debate on the Regulations.”
Find out more about electrical and electronic waste and critical minerals sector updates, innovation and practical strategies for recovery, reuse, recycling and compliance at the National E-Waste & Critical Minerals Conference 2026 on 11 March 2026.
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