The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives has challenged the First Minister over plans to include glass in Wales' Deposit Return Scheme, warning that the policy risks imposing unnecessary costs on small businesses while delivering negligible environmental benefit.
During First Minister's Questions, Darren Millar MS questioned why the Welsh Government is pressing ahead with a scheme that diverges from the rest of the UK by including glass.
Wales already has one of the highest household recycling rates in the world, with Welsh Government figures showing 92% of household glass is recycled.
Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
“Wales recycles more household waste than almost anywhere else in the world and our glass recycling rate is among the highest in Europe.
“Plaid Cymru and Labour are insisting on including glass in a Deposit Return Scheme, despite evidence that the decision will significantly increase costs for drinks producers, which will inevitably be passed on to consumers.
“Some large multinational companies may be able to absorb costs, but they will be devastating for small Welsh breweries and food and drink manufacturers.
“These plans have not been properly considered and are set to harm our economy, introduce unnecessary costs and red tape and inconvenience people by forcing them to drive to a local shop with their glass bottles rather than leave them to be collected at the end of their drive.
“The Welsh Government should bin its proposals to include glass in the Deposit Return Scheme and work in partnership with Governments across the UK.”
