Page 13 - Spring 2023 e-Newsletter (ENG)

Policy and research in action The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill will mean

that from autumn 2023 retailers will need to stop selling these single use plastic
How many of us imagined when we phones in hand, often muttering under items:
were children that we would be able to their breath as they count littered items

speak to friends on the other side of the on streets acrossthe length and breadth
world through our computer screens or of Wales. ● Cutlery

be asking Alexa to switch off the lights?
Collecting data about types of litter ● Plates

The incredible tools that many of and understanding the reasons behind ● Stirrers
use every day have all been achieved it allows us to fight for better laws and ● Drinking straws (unless for health needs)

through ground-breaking research. But strategies that stop the problem at ● Plastic stemmed cotton buds
despite the technological innovation, source.

we are still working out how to prevent ● Balloon sticks
litter and live alongside each other in a Did you know that Keep Wales Tidy has ● Polystyrene fast-food containers, cups and lids

way that doesn’t wreck the planet. been actively involved in two changes
which will soon start to make Wales a
Policy and research underpin everything cleaner and more sustainable place? The second important step towards Keep Wales Tidy has been a strong

we do at Keep Wales Tidy. We have reducing litter is confirmation that Wales supporter of this move and the data we

a dedicated team of experts who In 2022, the Senedd passed a law which will go ahead with a drink’s container have collected and shared with Welsh
continually monitor key issues, develop will ban a range of frequently littered deposit return scheme. A small deposit Government shows how much impact
guidance, and evaluate the impact of all single-use plastic items which could will be paid on every plastic bottle, can this can have.

our initiatives. remain in the environment for hundreds or glass bottle and this will be reclaimed
of years. Our street cleanliness surveys when the container is returned to the Our street cleanliness surveys are

Every year our officers can be seen provided invaluable data to prove this retailer. regularly finding plastic bottles on at least
pacing up and down roads, mobile law was needed. 11% of streets and drinks cans on at least
This gives a real value to something 13%. This adds up to many thousands of
which has too easily be discarded by containers being dropped on our streets

some individuals as waste. It also means in a year. We can look forward to this
that a much greater proportion of these figure rapidly falling once the deposit is

containers will be recycled, and this will introduced.
help with reducing the carbon footprint

of our packaging. Wales will now start We’ll be releasing our latest street
preparing for its introduction in 2025. cleanliness data very soon, so stay tuned.

If you have a policy or research question, get in touch with a member of the
team at leq@keepwalestidy.cymru.

You can also keep up to date on all the latest on Twitter @KWT_Policy