From 6 April 2024, non-domestic recycling law is changing in Wales, and the Church in Wales has issued updated guidance Separating waste for recycling and tightening food waste regulations from 6 April 2024, part of which is based on an advice note from Cytûn, Churches Together in Wales.
When the Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2023, SI 1290 (W. 228) come into force, all churches and church halls – as well as other non-domestic premises in Wales – will be required to sort waste for recycling more thoroughly to enable greater recycling rates and avoid the issue of potential cross-contamination.
Recycling will need to the separated into six different recycling containers by the owner/manager of premises, or by the operator of an activity, being held on the premises. The six separate containers are:
- Glass
- Plastic, metal and cartons and other similar packaging (note: the supply of many single-use plastic items was banned on 30 October 2023)
- Paper and card
- Food waste (see further below)
- Unsold[*] small electrical equipment
- Unsold textiles
The full definitions of each of the six categories, as contained in the regulations, are included as an appendix below. Further guidance is available on the Welsh Government website.
Placing the incorrect waste in the incorrect container could lead to a fixed penalty notice (FPN) issued by the Local authority, although the Welsh Government has indicated that the intention is to remind and educate first before applying penalties. The managers and trustees of multi-use premises – such as many church buildings – should therefore ensure that all users are aware of the new regulations. Hazardous waste (such as batteries, solvents, pesticides, and so on) will – as now – need to be disposed of safely and separately from the recycling containers.
[*] “Unsold” is defined as an unused consumer product. Initially, Categories 5 and 6 above are unlikely to apply to churches (or charity shops) which sell second-hand goods. However, Welsh Government intends to apply the recycling requirement to all textiles within three years, and all small electrical equipment within two years, so churches may wish to prepare for this change now.