Wales is to become the first part of the UK to legislate against a list of single-use plastics, as the Senedd approves legislation to ban selling unnecessary, disposable products to consumers. The legislation will take effect in autumn 2023, and it will give local authorities the power to enforce the offence of supplying or offering to supply commonly littered items, which have non-plastic or reusable alternatives.
The new law is being introduced, following a consultation with the public and other stakeholders, to help reduce the flow of single-use plastic waste into the environment. Wales is currently ranked as the world’s third best domestic recycler and the Welsh Government hopes to take further steps to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.
The single-use plastics that are to be banned or restricted from sale in Wales from autumn 2023, include:
