TO MARK Global Recycling Day, Newport East AM John Griffiths welcomed the announcement by Welsh Government to ban single use plastics – saying it will make people “think twice”

Plastic straws, cutlery and polystyrene food and drink containers are to be banned as part of wider measures to make Wales the world’s top recycling nation.

The plans are designed to restrict single-use, hard to recycle and commonly littered plastics, as part of wider efforts to tackle the problem of plastic pollution and help move Wales towards a circular economy.

READ MORE:

Mr Griffiths said: “The announcement is a very welcome step in tackling the problem of plastic pollution.

"I’ve seen for myself on our regular community litter picks across Newport – particularly down by the River Usk, how much of a problem plastic waste is and the damage it is causing to wildlife and the wider environment.

“As a former Environment Minister, this is an area I care passionately about. I believe by taking this direct action, it will have a significant impact on changing people’s behaviour and make them think twice about how they use plastic."

Consultation on the proposals will take place in the coming months; with restrictions due to come into force in the first half of next year. In a 2019 Welsh Government study, a large proportion of litter collected was made up of plastic items.

Global Recycling Day fell on Saturday, March 21.