Wales’s national recycling rate was a “record high” 65.14% in 2019/20 (see letsrecycle.com story).
The new strategy aims to keep resources in use and avoid waste. It forms part of plans for a ‘green recovery’ in Wales which tackles the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and climate change.
Lesley Griffiths, minister for environment, energy and rural affairs, said: “In the transition to a circular economy, there will be challenges and barriers to overcome but our track record as a nation on recycling shows by working together we can achieve the transformational change needed.
“Every child leaving school now will have only ever known a Wales which recycles – it is now a part of our culture and that gives us a solid foundation for accelerated action.”
Wales also hopes to become a net-zero carbon nation by 2050.
Ms Griffiths added: “The publication of this strategy is a continuation of our journey which has already seen Wales become a recycling nation. Taking the next steps on our pathway towards a zero waste, low carbon Wales has never been more important; but we have already shown we can deliver.”
Strategy
The strategy is focused around six core themes. These are:
minister for environment, energy and rural affairs
- Driving innovation in materials use
- Upscaling prevention and re-use
- Building on Wales’s recycling record
- Investing in infrastructure
- Enabling community and business action
- Aligning government levers
By 2025, Wales wants there to be a 26% reduction in waste, a 50% reduction in avoidable food waste, zero waste to landfill, and 70% recycling.
By 2030, it wants there to be a 33% reduction in waste and a 60% reduction in avoidable food waste.
And, it wants there to be ‘one planet resource use’, a 62% reduction in the waste, zero waste, and net zero carbon by 2050.
The Welsh government says it has already increased funding for circular economy projects from £6.5 million to £43 million, supporting 180 projects in every part of Wales.
Headline actions
The Welsh government says it will prioritise eight ‘headline actions’ to meet its aims. These include:
- Supporting businesses in Wales to reduce their carbon footprint by becoming more resource efficient.
- Providing the tools to enable community action.
- Phasing out unnecessary single-use items, especially plastic.
- Eradicating avoidable food waste.
- Procuring on a basis which prioritises goods and products which are made from remanufactured, refurbished and recycled materials or come from low carbon and sustainable materials like wood.
- Striving to achieve the highest rates of recycling in the world.
- Reducing the environmental impact of the waste collection from homes and businesses.
- Taking full responsibility for Wales’s waste.
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