In reference to the short debate on 5 October, how does the Minister suggest the sector should improve itself in order to remove the 'rogue element from the industry'?
The waste and resource management industry provides a critical service to the Welsh economy, creating jobs and ensuring the huge volume of material discarded every day is collected and managed effectively.
I want to see improved compliance through regulation which will ensure responsible businesses can operate on a level playing field and reduce unfair competition from the small part of the sector who undercut these businesses and in doing so, fail to meet the required standards or operate outside the law.
We need to prevent fires at waste sites which damage our environment, putting our communities at risk and wasting resources. Businesses in the waste sector and their clients who use sites in the waste sector must work together and report any suspicious activity to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Local Authority. We need good collaboration between industry, regulators and other agencies, such as the Fire and Rescue Service, to help improve standards, close down poor operators and deal with illegal sites. Industry should support the work to developFire Prevention Action Plans and incorporate the recommended measures into their activities. I have sponsored the secondment of a Fire Prevention Officer into NRW to help with providing advice and support to both the regulator and site operators.
Waste producers must fully comply with Duty of Care requirements when making arrangements with contractors to take wastes for treatment. They must ensure all care and diligence is taken to ensure that waste is only passed to authorised operators and that these operators are fully in compliance with the conditions of their planning consent and environmental permit. An information campaign, “right Waste, right Place”, is underway which will inform and help businesses and establishments meet their Duty of Care obligations as straightforwardly as possible.