What steps is the Minister taking to encourage more local authorities to hit statutory recycling targets?
We are working with all local authorities through our strategic change programme. The programme provides expert advice on changes that will increase recycling rates and assistance in taking those changes as part of a local authority’s wider recycling strategy. The support includes targeted funding aimed at activities which increase collection and quality of recyclable materials in line with the Welsh Government’s Blueprint best practice.
The Senedd has also recently passed the new Workplace Recycling Legislation which will come into force on the 6 April 2024 increasing the quality and rate of recycling of waste materials produced in workplaces in Wales. ‘The Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling – A Code of Practice for Wales’ was published on the 4th of December. This will increase the recycling collected from businesses in Wales, taking us another step forward in moving to achieving zero waste and Net Zero Wales, whilst laying the foundations for a stronger, greener economy.