Flimsy plastic bags are among a long list of items to be banned if a bill tabled in the Welsh parliament on Tuesday becomes law. Climate Change Secretary Julie James said the move would be a boost for the environment, tackling litter and challenging modern “throwaway culture”. He said: “This is a big moment in our journey towards a plastic-free Wales. Single-use plastic products are often seen littering our streets, parks and seas. Not only are they unsightly, but they have a devastating impact on wildlife and our environment. “We need to say no to the culture of single-use items, so we avoid leaving a toxic legacy of plastic for future generations.” In 2011, Wales became one of the first countries in the world to introduce a charge for single-use carrier bags. It claims it is still at the forefront of action on plastic, with Wales the first UK department to legislate against a comprehensive list of single-use plastics. Other single-use plastic items to be banned include cutlery, plates, stirrers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, balloon sticks, some fast food containers and straws – although the latter is exempt for health reasons. There will be disappointment that wet wipes do not appear on the list. The Welsh Government said there were issues with product labeling and what the various brands contained, and it was unclear what the impact of the alternatives was. However, the legislation is being drafted in such a way that it is easier to include further elements in the future. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deputy chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, Louise Tambini, welcomed the development: “It’s a positive step on our journey to really change the way we consume plastic and reduce waste as a nation.” Other political parties largely backed the bill from the Labor government, although the Tories pointed out that England and Scotland had already banned some items on the Welsh government’s list. Janet Finch-Saunders, who speaks on climate change for the Conservative party in the Welsh parliament, said: “This is typical Labor – slow again and chasing the headlines.” He also questioned whether local authorities under pressure could enforce the law.
