Will Wales lead the battle against plastic pollution?

Prof Steve Ormerod and Dr Ifan Jâms were interviewed by BBC Wales to discuss the recent National Assembly for Wales report on plastic pollution.

The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee recently published a report on policies and proposals relating to plastic pollution and packaging waste.

This report was prompted in no small part by recent research in Cardiff University which showed the extent of plastic pollution already in Welsh rivers:  as cited in the Senedd report, Prof Steve Ormerod and PhD student Fred Windsor, Assistant Director and affiliated member of Cardiff Water Research Institute, found recently that half of all insects in the Taff river system contained plastic.

Assembly Members are now urging the Welsh Government to set new targets to tackle plastic waste and microplastic pollution in Wales. They recommend a 10-year strategy plan to reduce plastic use, including interventions such as a deposit return scheme, extended producer responsiblity and a plastic packaging tax.

Mike Hedges AM, Commitee Chair, said: 'Plastic pollution is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet. Wales can’t solve this global problem on its own, but we cannot wait any longer, it’s important that we step up and take a lead where we can.

'We cannot waste another day. The time to act is now.'

Following the publication of the report, Prof Steve Ormerod and Dr Ifan Jâms were interviewed by BBC Wales.

Interview of Prof Steve Ormerod (English)

Interview of Dr Ifan Jâms (Welsh)

BBC Interview of Dr Ifan Jams on plastic pollution in Welsh rivers

Full report available on the Welsh Government website.