Welsh Government consultation extended to 24th April

The Welsh Government has extended its consultation on “Making the circular economy a reality in Wales” to 24th April. Although Wales is already a global leader in recycling, with Welsh householders being the third best in the world, a move to a circular economy would result in even more waste reduction, one of RCW’s core values.

So, what is a circular economy and how would this benefit the people of Wales?

In a circular economy, goods are designed in such a way that once they have been manufactured, they can be used and reused repeatedly. This process goes “beyond recycling” and our current reuse economy. In a circular economy waste is kept to a minimum, materials are used for longer and reliance upon natural resources is reduced, as demonstrated in this illustration: 

Reuse Economy – Circular Economy

Repair Cafe Wales Reuse Economy Circular Economy

By adopting a circular economy, the Welsh Government intends to create “…a fairer, greener and more prosperous country”. Further benefits could include:

  • Cost savings for the Welsh economy  
  • New employment opportunities and “green” jobs
  • A steady supply of components in the supply chain
  • Price stability for the reused components   
  • A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 

So, what is the purpose of this consultation?

The Welsh Government’s proposals form part of its ambition to become a zero waste and net zero emission country by 2050. The consultation focuses upon 6 core themes which are:

  • Building upon Wales’ recycling record to become the world leader
  • Supporting prevention and reuse by encouraging cultural change 
  • Driving innovation and materials use 
  • Using Government levers such as taxation and legislation
  • Enabling communities and businesses to foster collaboration 
  • Investing in infrastructure to drive progress

Zero waste, one hundred percent value retention

With an increasing number of people on the planet consuming growing amounts of goods it is critical to make consumption more sustainable. We need to get people to live better with less.

There are many organisations delivering the sustainability agenda – guiding government policy/legislation and business behaviour; improving education, awareness-raising and driving climate impact reduction.  

The focus of the Repair Movement complements changes at these higher levels. Recognising how ordinary citizens are “… the inner circle of the circular economy” playing a key role, in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s goal on responsible consumption and production.     

Repair Café Wales focus is on last-mile consumption and disposal through capacity building and community empowerment.  By facilitating ‘grassroots’ fixing events that bring repairing back into our communities, providing a free to use service that restores products to good working condition by replacing or repairing major components that are faulty or close to failure.  

Useful life is extended, and the item’s value and worth are retained within the economic system. Further, the amount of materials, energy and water needed to produce the new replacement product is saved.  All good targets to protect the planet.  Globally, repair cafes prevented around 350,000 kilos of waste in 2018. That is just as much as the total weight of 58 adult African elephants!

The popular repair cafés are proven mechanisms for changing people’s behaviour in the long-term.   For the repair café customer, overcoming premature obsolescence can bring down total ownership costs and deliver higher convenience due to avoiding hassles associated with repairs.  

Plus, the data collected from events help us make the case to some of the world’s biggest companies with evidence to for manufacturing products that are repairable and live longer.   

Act Today

1. To help Repair Café Wales to retain its role within Wales circular economy strategy, ‘Beyond Recycling’ respond to the consultation and provide your view on how the repair café collective community action supports waste prevention and reuse.  The consultation closes 24th April 2020.

For further information and to register a response see >>> https://gov.wales/node/27381/respond-online

Beyond Recycling: Welsh Government consultation extended to 24th April. For more information and how to respond see >>> https://gov.wales/node/27381/respond-online