New guidance is available for churches to help them comply with the  Welsh Government’s ban on single use plastic which comes into force from 30 October.

After that it will be against the law for churches to supply the following single-use plastic items, even if giving them away free.

• Single-use plastic plates – this includes paper plates with a laminated plastic surface
• Single-use plastic cutlery – for example forks, spoons, knives
• Single-use plastic drinks stirrers
• Cups made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene.
• Takeaway food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
• Single-use plastic balloon sticks
• Single-use plastic-stemmed Cotton buds
• Single-use plastic drinking straws – with exemptions so people who need them to eat and drink safely and independently can continue to have them.

Cytûn – Churches together in Wales has supplied a comprehensive guidance note in Welsh and English to assist churches. You can read the guidance in full here: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Enviro-regs-Rheoliadau-amgylcheddol-2023.pdf