As a new workplace recycling law comes into force across Wales, businesses are bracing themselves for a range of new challenges. From Saturday, all businesses, public sector organisations and charities will be legally required to separate their waste ready for collection. This includes separating waste into six separate streams, including metals, cartons, plastics, paper and cardboard, glass, and food waste. Additionally, textiles and small electrical items should also be placed into individual bins.
While the Welsh government claims that the majority of businesses support the new law, many business owners are worried about the additional cost, space needed for new bins, and issues with contamination. Clare Dent, who runs a gallery and cafe in Brecon, Powys, said: “Our concerns are around a lack of support and communication on the ground. There are also going to be access issues with so many bins on the street, aesthetically it doesn’t look good.” In fact, not enough consideration has been given to the practical implications of the new rules.
Wales is looking to achieve net zero waste and reduced emissions by 2050. Figures suggest 75% of business waste is recyclable – but it believes too much still ends up being sent to landfill, incineration plants or abroad. The new law is part of the Welsh government’s commitment to reaching these targets.
Hospitality businesses are some of the most dissatisfied with the changes. Separating waste and using new bins means additional cost and time implications for them. Their storage bins are also not lockable, meaning anyone could throw unrelated waste in and businesses could be fined if Natural Resources Wales sees the contamination. The new law is enforced by Natural Resources Wales, but the local authorities will oversee the ban on food waste going into sewers.
Despite some of these challenges, around 80% of small and medium-sized businesses have supported this law change. Bluestone holiday park in Pembrokeshire and Cardiff University are among a small number of places which have already implemented the new changes in line with the law. This included installing new bins across the site for the separation of recyclable waste. They noted that this helped reduce contamination and improve the quality of waste it sends for recycling by more than half, according to Director of Sustainability at Bluestone, Marten Lewis
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