Plaid Cymru AM Nerys Evans has today welcomed action by the Environment Minister to ensure that the details of where local authorities send recycling to be processed are published.
The Plaid AM, who has been running a campaign for the law to be changed and for greater transparency on where recycling is sent for several years, has said that she is delighted that work has now started for this to happen. The Plaid AM was reacting to news from the Environment Minister on progress made on this matter.
Nerys Evans AM said:
“The public have a right to know where their recycling is going and be reassured that the people processing it are not being exploited. Therefore I am delighted that work has now started on making the whole system more transparent. It is really satisfying to get a positive outcome after years of work. We have achieved progressive changes to ensure transparency in recycling services.
“The minister has committed to some important changes to make absolutely sure that local authorities report to the public on where their waste is going and work has now started on delivering those commitments. These changes will mean that the public can see where their recyclables are ending up. This will enable all of us to consider the environmental and social effects of our councils’ decision.
“The lack of clarity surrounding the end destination of some of our recyclable waste is damaging to the public perception of recycling and their motivation to take full part in recycling schemes – but those concerns should now be addressed fully.
“We need to work towards ensuring that Wales is self-sustaining in terms of the capacity that exists here to process recyclable waste – and I hope that the changes that are now being brought about will result in a clearer picture of how much more capacity is needed.”
