Plaid’s plastic levy way forward for Wales to cut waste

Plaid’s plastic levy way forward for Wales to cut waste

One way we could reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our seas and in landfill is by introducing a levy on plastic bottles, that is the message from Mid and West AM Simon Thomas.

The Labour Government will be making a statement on devolved taxes in the Senedd on Tuesday. Ahead of the statement Plaid Cymru’s Simon Thomas has once again called for the introduction of a levy on non-reusable and non-reyclable plastics.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs Simon Thomas said:

“Plaid Cymru believes in introducing a levy on non-reusable and non-recyclable plastics.

“In April the Welsh Government has the ability to vary and raise taxes. I’m confident the best option is to have a polluter pays principle when it comes to taxation and introduce a plastic levy.

“Wales could lead the way with a levy on disposable single-use plastics. The carrier bag levy showed how a small policy can make a big difference.

“The recently passed Welsh budget will help to further increase recycling rates through a feasibility study of a deposit-return scheme for Wales.

“A Deposit Return Scheme for glass and cans along with a single use plastic levy, could have a huge impact on the amount of waste generated in Wales.

“Ensuring we have a deposit return scheme for Wales would be another important step in our journey to create a zero waste nation by 2030.