The MS for Brecon and Radnorshire wrote an open letter to cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, in which he raised his “concerns” around the speed of which the regulations are being introduced, as well as the “lack of practical support” given to businesses to adapt.
He said that while no one he has spoken to is against the intentions of the policy and will do “all they can” to increase recycling rates, compliance from smaller businesses is “nigh on impossible”.
‘Grace period’
Mr Evans noted that a lot of businesses are still struggling to find waste operators to collect their recycling and has asked that a pause on enforcement action be put into place until April 2025, to allow businesses to adjust “without fear of being fined or prosecuted”.
He said in the letter: “At a time when small businesses are facing significant financial pressures, this is an additional burden that many cannot afford.
“Many are telling me that their bins are in public areas on the street, and they are terrified that others will dump rubbish in their bins, but that they will be the ones facing enforcement action for the breach.”
‘Advice and guidance’
However, regulator Natural Resource Wales (NRW) has previously stated that where non-compliance occurs, it will provide “advice and guidance as a first response where appropriate”.
Only when there is more serious or persistent non-compliance will NRW take “a firmer approach” e.g. civil sanctions and criminal proceedings.
To find out more about the workplace recycling law, please join us at the LARAC Wales Conference on 9 July in Cardiff. To book tickets to attend or for more information please click here
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