Written question WQ97229

The Welsh Government continues to take comprehensive steps to eradicate plastic pollution in Welsh seas and waterways.

This Senedd term has seen the delivery of a comprehensive programme of action to reduce plastic pollution across Wales. This includes the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 2023, which has already enabled us to ban or restrict the supply of several commonly littered products such as straws, cutlery, plates and polystyrene food containers. Further regulations to ban wet wipes containing plastic will come into force in December 2026 and we have also introduced a ban on single use vapes in Wales.

These legislative actions are part of our Circular Economy Strategy – Beyond Recycling, which sets out our ambition to phase out unnecessary single-use plastics, increase reuse and repair, and keep materials in use for as long as possible. We have now introduced an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme and are developing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), both of which will help reduce litter and ensure producers take greater responsibility for the waste they generate.

The Welsh Government also runs an end-of-life fishing gear recycling scheme, with collection points along the Welsh coast. I am pleased to confirm that 15 tons of old fishing gear has been recycled since 2023.

The Welsh Government will continue to work with national and international organisations to actively enhance our understanding of plastic pollution and take forward collaborative, evidence-based action.