Policy Highlights May/June 2023

WRAP publishes Wales Food Waste Routemap  

WRAP Cymru has published its 'Routemap to Food Waste Targets' in line with the Welsh Government ‘Beyond Recycling’ strategy', WRAP’s Welsh Food Waste route map is designed to show the key interventions necessary to deliver"the Welsh Government aims to reduce avoidable food waste by 50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030. The route map shows that achieving the targets will require ambitious actions across the food supply chain. Its key interventions could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 650 thousand tonnes of CO₂e, and monetary savings of over £800 million, with more than a third being experienced by Welsh households.

Call for evidence launched on near elimination of biodegradable waste to landfill 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has opened a call for evidence requesting views, data and evidence on how they can achieve the near elimination of biodegradable waste disposal in landfills from 2028. They are seeking views to support their development of policies which will help them achieve near elimination of biodegradable waste disposal in landfills from 2028. This includes views on the following:

• The composition of waste going to landfill
• Why some biodegradable waste continues to go to landfill
• Views on how this can best achieve their aim

This consultation closes on 7th July 2023.

Producers urged to address ‘flushable’ wet wipes labelling  

DEFRA has outlined its commitment to tackle harmful plastics and clean up waterways by challenging producers of wet wipes to address concerns over how they label their products. Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey has written to wet wipes producers setting out her concerns about the number of wet wipes that are flushed down UK toilets. The publication states that between 2.1-2.9 billion wipes are disposed of in toilets in the UK each year. Therefore, the Environment Secretary has asked them to reconsider the use of the word ‘flushable’ on packaging to help prevent sewer blockages and water pollution. Wet wipes producers have now been asked to set out how they will address these concerns. The Plan for Water also committed to a public consultation on the proposal to ban wet wipes containing plastic. The Government has asserted its commitment to work with industry producers to make sure plastic-free alternatives are available to the public.

PHMT: The Energy Profits Levy extended until 2028 

HM Treasury has announced that the Energy Profits Levy will remain in place until March 2028. The Government will introduce a new Energy Security Investment Mechanism to protect the domestic energy supply and encourage growth in the sector. This forms part of the Government’s strategy to support households with energy bills whilst providing certainty to investors to secure the long-term future of domestic energy production. The Energy Profits Levy puts a marginal tax rate of 75% on North Sea oil and gas production. The levy has raised around £2.8 billion to date and is expected to raise almost £26 billion by March 2028, helping to fund the measures to help with the cost of living, such as the Energy Price Guarantee.