Written question WQ82995

I refer you to the answer I gave to Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): How much of Wales's recyclable waste is exported overseas every year? (WQ82421) on 25 May 2021.

Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): How much of Wales's recyclable waste is exported overseas every year? (WQ82421)

Julie James: Investment by the Welsh Government since 2001 has supported our national recycling rate to reach over 65%, exceeding our latest target and confirming Wales’ place as one of the highest recycling nations in the world. In 2019-20, just over 51% (506,171 tonnes) of the 985,000 tonnes of the material recycled by households across Wales was processed here in Wales and just over 33% (328,923 tonnes) was sent to England for processing. With just under 85% of recyclable waste from Welsh households being reported by Local Authorities as having an end destination in England or Wales, the remaining 15% was exported.

As part of our commitment to reaching zero waste and 100% recycling by 2050, we are committed to taking full responsibility for our waste here in Wales. As we continue to improve our recycling and transition to a circular economy, recyclable materials are becoming an increasingly important commodity which is traded internationally.

The trans-frontier shipment of waste is a reserved issue which is the responsibility of the UK Government. We are however working with the UK Government to develop an electronic tracking system for waste movements which will further improve UK data on exports of waste from households and non-domestic premises.