Recycling law...recycled
From 6 April 2024, non-domestic recycling law is changing in Wales
Under the new legislation, all churches and church halls will be required to sort waste for recycling more thoroughly to enable greater recycling rates and avoid the issue of potential cross-contamination.
The new requirements add to those put in place in 2012 and the ban on single-use plastics, introduced last year.
Recyclable waste will need to be separated into six different recycling containers by the owner/manager of premises, or by the operator of an activity being held there. The categories relevant to churches are:
- Glass.
- Plastic, metal and cartons
- Paper and card
- Food waste
Two further categories covering textiles and small electrical appliances will follow in the next 2-3 years.
The changes will make it illegal to send anything that falls within the categories to landfill. Contravention could potentially lead to fines levied by local authorities, although Welsh Government says that the intention is to remind and educate first before applying penalties.
Food waste
The legal requirement to separate and recycle food waste will apply to premises that produce 5kg or more of food waste per week. However, it is good practice to separate and recycle all food waste, even small amounts, and this can be collected from churches free of charge as household waste.
In addition, there will be a ban on disposing any amount of food waste down the sink or into a public drain or sewer. This applies not only to pouring food directly into the sink or drain but means it will no longer be permitted to use equipment such as macerators, enzyme digesters or de-waterers. Churches should ensure that users of their premises are aware of this. You will not have to uninstall any such equipment you have, but it should be disconnected. Discharge of food waste into the public drains will be an offence and a fixed penalty notice may be issued to the premises or operator concerned.
More detailed information can be found in guidance published on the Climate Change pages of the Church in Wales website.