Digital Waste Tracking Delay Until April 26

Wales Defers Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking Until April 2026

The Welsh Government, alongside the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, has announced a delay to the implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking, pushing the start date from April 2025 to April 2026.

The decision follows extensive industry feedback highlighting challenges associated with the original timeline. Concerns raised by stakeholders and delivery partners indicated that the system required further refinement to ensure its effectiveness, prompting a reassessment of project delivery plans.

Digital waste tracking aims to provide a more transparent, efficient, and standardised approach to monitoring waste movements across the UK. The system is intended to replace existing paper-based and fragmented reporting methods, improving data accuracy and supporting efforts to transition towards a circular economy. However, industry representatives have expressed concerns over the readiness of the IT infrastructure and the need for additional testing before full implementation.

Government officials emphasised that the delay will allow for a more comprehensive testing phase, ensuring that the service meets the needs of all stakeholders. While an updated timeline will be confirmed by May 2025, officials have reaffirmed their commitment to launching a fully operational digital waste tracking system by April 2026.

Full statement can be found here

by Ben Maizey

Wales Saving Through Repair

Wales saves £1m by mending not spending

It has reached an extraordinary milestone saving people over £1m in free repairs.

Repair Café Wales is encouraging people to repair rather than replace a broken item during ‘Fix-it February’ and beyond, by taking something to their local repair café to be fixed for free. Repair Cafe Wales are aiming to fix 1,000 items over the month, which would save as much carbon as taking a car off the road for 360,000 miles.

Anyone can bring a broken or damaged item to a repair café where volunteers can help fix it for free – ranging from electronics and clothing to furniture and household appliances. Repair cafés help people make the most of the items they already have to help tackle ‘throwaway culture’.

The Welsh Government’s Circular Economy Fund has invested in community organisations like Repair Café Wales, which has expanded its network to over 126 repair cafés across the country. Every month they help hundreds of people make their belongings last.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, visited a repair café in Carmarthen. He brought a damaged cycling glove which was repaired by a volunteer during his visit.

He said:

The success of Repair Café Wales shows what our communities can achieve by working together. Powered by 1,000 dedicated volunteers each month, repair cafés are not just fixing items, they’re taking action to help the climate and saving people money. Small changes really add up to make a difference.

This, combined with Wales becoming second in the world for municipal recycling, shows real progress towards ending throwaway culture and growing a greener economy.

Phoebe Brown, Director of Repair Café Wales, said:

We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which is testament to the effort and skill of our brilliant volunteers. Having an item, such as a bike or laptop, fixed for free at one of our repair cafes can result in a significant financial saving for a local family, which is particularly beneficial in this current climate.

Full Statement from GOV.WALES here

by Ben Maizey

Wales Breaks Away from UK-Wide DRS

Welsh Government withdraws from UK Deposit Return Scheme

Wales has announced its withdrawal from the UK-wide development of an aligned deposit return scheme (DRS), as confirmed by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies.

In a written statement, Irranca-Davies explained that the Welsh Government could not proceed with a joint DRS due to challenges posed by the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020.

“In partnership with the UK and Devolved Governments, we have been working to initiate a joint process to appoint the Deposit Management Organisation for our respective schemes later this month. However, in the time available, it has not been possible to address the issues to the operation of devolution caused by the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, inherited by the UK Government from the previous administration.”

This decision means Wales will not proceed with the joint process or notify the WTO at this stage. However, the UK Government remains committed to launching a DRS across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland by October 2027.

A UK Government spokesperson said,

“We will continue to work collaboratively with the Devolved Governments and industry to ensure our scheme works for businesses and consumers, while creating thousands of green jobs, driving investment into new infrastructure, and moving towards a circular economy.”

The announcement likely reflects Wales’s intention to include glass in its scheme, aligning with its vision for a broader environmental impact. In contrast, the UK Government has excluded glass from the schemes in England and Northern Ireland, with Scotland’s attempt to include glass thwarted in 2023 due to lack of agreement on exclusions from the Internal Market Act.

Reactions have been mixed. The British Soft Drinks Association expressed regret over Wales’s decision, citing risks to alignment efforts and the move toward a circular economy. Industry leaders like Reloop’s Jenni Hume and City to Sea’s Jane Martin highlighted frustrations with delays and the need for clarity, with Martin calling the situation “utter chaos.” The Natural Source Waters Association warned of consumer confusion, fraud risks, and challenges for producers and retailers due to a fragmented approach.

Despite withdrawing from the joint process, Wales remains committed to a DRS that “delivers for Wales.” The Deputy First Minister emphasised the need for a scheme that supports the transition to reuse, particularly for glass, while maintaining the country’s high recycling rates—65.7% in 2023. This unique position allows Wales to explore a system that builds on its progress and supports broader sustainability goals.

Wales’s decision marks a significant divergence in the UK’s approach to tackling waste and fostering a circular economy, underscoring the complexities of aligning environmental policies across devolved nations.

Links

Written Statement from Welsh Government HERE

Press Release from Welsh Government HERE

by Ben Maizey

Wales Municipal Recycling Reaches 66.6%

Wales Municipal Recycling Rate Reaches 66.6% in 2023-24: A Step Closer to World-Leading Standards

Wales continues its impressive journey in recycling, with recent figures for the 2023-24 period confirming a recycling rate of 66.6% for municipal waste collected by local authorities. The latest report released today, underscores Wales' progress toward the Welsh Government’s ambitious "Beyond Recycling" (2021) strategy, which set a statutory recycling target of 64% by 2019-20, holding until the next increase to 70% by 2024-25.

Over the past two decades, Wales has significantly increased its recycling rate, up from a mere 5% in the late 1990s. The current 66.6% figure is a 0.9 percentage point improvement over 2022-23, demonstrating steady, positive growth in sustainable waste handling. Among the 22 Welsh local authorities, 18 met or exceeded the statutory 64% target, while six of these authorities—Bridgend, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, and Vale of Glamorgan—have already achieved the 70% benchmark, well ahead of schedule.

A Closer Look at Municipal Waste Data

In 2023-24, Wales generated 1.4 million tonnes of municipal waste, a modest 0.6% increase from the previous year but notably still 7% lower than in 2021-22. This makes it the second-lowest amount recorded since data collection began in 2001-02. As part of the strategy, Wales also aims to reduce overall household waste by 2050, with household waste currently constituting 87% of all municipal waste collected. Notably, residual household waste per person fell by 2.1% from 172kg to 168kg, reflecting increased individual awareness and commitment to reducing landfill contributions.

Local authorities also saw gains in non-household waste recycling, with rates rising by 4.9 percentage points to 80.9%. The household recycling rate also edged up from 64.3% to 64.6% during the same period, making a notable impact on the overall municipal recycling rate.

Regional Highlights and Areas for Improvement

Recycling rates across Wales varied, with Bridgend leading at 72.8% and Cardiff lagging at 60.1%. While the vast majority of councils achieved or surpassed the target, four authorities—Cardiff, Caerphilly, Flintshire, and Wrexham—fell short. Cardiff, Caerphilly, and Flintshire did not meet the target for the second consecutive year, although improvements were noted in Torfaen and Isle of Anglesey, which exceeded the target after falling short in 2022-23.

Post-Pandemic Resilience

The report highlights that the pandemic notably impacted waste management patterns, with changes in consumption and waste generation during lockdowns. Recovery timelines have varied among local authorities, and comparing data against the last pre-pandemic year (2018-19) provides valuable context. Wales has effectively rebounded, and these gains are especially impressive when viewed in the light of this challenging period.

Looking Ahead

With a target to reach 70% by 2024-25, the Welsh Government’s "Beyond Recycling" strategy remains a guiding force, inspiring continued effort toward waste reduction and recycling. As Wales advances toward becoming a global model for recycling, the commitment at both local and national levels will be crucial.

For those interested in detailed local authority recycling figures or tracing the journey of collected recyclables, the "My Recycling Wales" website offers an interactive platform showcasing Welsh achievements in sustainable waste management across the UK and globally.

For more insights, visit My Recycling Wales.

Source:  Click Here for Full statement from Welsh Government

by Ben Maizey

2025 Ban on Disposable Vapes

Wales Announces 2025 Ban on Disposable Vapes to Combat E-Waste and Protect Public Health

Wales has announced that, starting in June 2025, the sale of disposable vapes will be banned to address pressing environmental and public health issues. This move aligns with a similar policy in England and marks a significant step in reducing the environmental toll of single-use vapes, which have become increasingly popular among youth due to their colourful packaging and convenience.

The decision follows a series of growing concerns: an estimated 5 million disposable vapes are discarded every week in the UK, leading to a surge in e-waste and hazardous pollution from lithium batteries. In 2022 alone, 40 tonnes of lithium from discarded vapes entered the waste stream, enough to power 5,000 electric vehicles. Improper disposal has also resulted in hundreds of fires at waste-processing facilities and within bin lorries, putting workers at risk and disrupting waste management processes.

This ban is anticipated to benefit the waste industry by reducing fire risks and allowing facilities to focus on sustainable waste management. It reflects the broader environmental goals of Wales, which has positioned itself as a leader in waste reduction. The ban also supports a shift toward safer and more environmentally responsible products, aligning with Wales' commitment to reducing e-waste and promoting a healthier environment.

Full Statement from Welsh Government Here

by Ben Maizey

£1 billion investment for Shotton Mill

A major investment of over £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in Deeside, North Wales, will safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220 when fully commissioned, the UK and Welsh governments have confirmed

The announcement comes ahead of the Investment Summit next month which will make clear that the UK is “open for business” as the UK government resets relations with trading partners around the globe and creates a pro-business environment that supports innovation and high-quality jobs at home and will play a key role to maintain the highest sustained growth in the G7.

The Welsh Government has provided almost £13 million in funding alongside £136 million in support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

This is a massive vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and this government’s plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investments in the industries of tomorrow. This transformative investment will not only support local skilled jobs but raise living standards in the community.

The deal being announced today is testament to what can be achieved when the Welsh and UK governments work hand in hand.

We’re also proud to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, where we recognise the tremendous innovations taking place right across the sector, not least here in Shotton Mill.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

Deeside has a long and proud history as one of Wales’ key industrial centres and this significant investment from our two governments will secure jobs and help bring a prosperous future for the area.

We have reset the relationship between the UK and Welsh Government. Working together in close partnership we are delivering growth and good jobs to people across Wales.

Welsh Government Economy, Energy and Planning Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said:

This is excellent news for Deeside and the wider Welsh economy and is a prime example of how, through our commitment to a prosperous, green economy we are able to attract investment, and create good, sustainable jobs whilst reducing waste.

Once fully operational, instead of transporting paper waste many hundreds or thousands of miles overseas to be processed it will be turned into recycled packaging here in Wales. This, alongside the nature of the technology, means a net reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to emissions from 190,000 homes a year.

Our £13 million support will help ensure this is delivered whilst safeguarding and creating local jobs and ensuring that the community is at the heart of the business’ success for many years to come.

Eren Holding is a leading containerboard and corrugated cardboard manufacturer from Turkey and ranks among the leading producers in Europe. Their plans will see Shotton Mill become the UK’s largest paper-manufacturing campus, boosting UK paper production by recycling wastepaper which would otherwise go overseas or into landfill.

The plant will produce nearly 100% recycled paper and will have an environmentally friendly production model as it purifies its own wastewater, recycles and reuses it in the system, helping to create good, highly paid jobs in the green industries of the future.

UKEF supported by issuing a guarantee which allows HSBC and Credit Suisse to arrange debt financing for the project.

The Eren investment is expected to boost Welsh and UK exports in paper, with UKEF support offered on the understanding that Shotton Mill will export 10% of its turnover within 5 years. This is also expected to reduce UK reliance on imports of paper.

Hamdullah Eren, Senior board member of the Eren Holding group, said:

Production at our new plant at Shotton Mill will be based on state-of-the-art technology, making this the most advanced paper campus in Europe. Our custom-built plant will deliver sophisticated and sustainable manufacturing solutions well into the 21st century.

This is the first major Eren Holding cap ex project outside Türkiye and we are delighted to have chosen Deeside as an ideal location to meet our ambitions for growth. We are putting down deep roots on a site of historic industrial significance.

We believe this new plant will bring prosperity, leadership in our industry, and long-term employment prospects that will be the pride of Deeside, Wales and Türkiye.

Northeast Wales is a key industrial centre, with Deeside being one of the largest industrial parks in Europe. Shotton steelworks once operated on site, with industrial activity at the Mill dating back over 100 years.

The investment represents a new lease of life for the site and will support economic stability in Deeside and the North Wales area as both governments look to deliver long-term, sustainable, growth right across the UK.

The announcement also falls on National Manufacturing Day as the government celebrates the nation’s first-class manufacturing industry. The UK government’s upcoming modern industrial strategy will back workers and give international investors the confidence they need to invest in Britain, creating jobs and growth across the UK.

The UK remains an attractive destination for green investment and this announcement will help create jobs, grow the economy and export high-quality, sustainable goods around the world.

Source: Welsh Government Press Release

by Ben Maizey