Wales’ National Assembly yesterday passed the Environment (Wales) Bill, a landmark piece of legislation bringing measures aimed at tackling climate change into law, including a target to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050.
Within the Bill, which is expected to become law in Wales from 2017, the Welsh Government has included requirements for businesses to present recyclable waste separately for collection or face prosecution.
It also brings into effect a ban on the disposal of food waste to sewers, in line with similar laws which are in place in Scotland.
On incineration of waste, the regulations state: “The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for and in connection with prohibiting or otherwise regulating the incineration in Wales of specified kinds of waste.”
This, the regulations explain, would be brought about by amending section two of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999, which relates to the operation of waste incineration or co-incineration plants.
Energy
The Welsh Government has not specified which, if any, materials it may seek to ban from EfW plants, but it does state that those failing to comply with such a ban would face penalties and enforcement action.
Commenting on the passing of the Bill yesterday, Welsh Environment Minister Carl Sargeant, said: “This is a great day for Wales as the passing of the Environment Bill will ensure that the sustainable management of our natural resources will be a core consideration in all future decision-making.”
He added: “The Environment Bill complements the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 and together, they put in place the framework needed to secure the long-term well-being of Wales.”
Emyr Roberts, chief executive of the regulatory body Natural Resources Wales, added: “The passing of the Environment Bill puts us in a better position to be able to manage our natural resources in a way that helps us tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable land management.
“This Bill, along with the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Planning Act, places sustainable development at the heart of decision making across the public, private and third sectors, which will enable us all to fully recognise the contribution our natural resources make to tackling poverty, health inequalities, creating more jobs and a greener economy.”
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