News

New Welsh recycling regulations could cost businesses thousands

Published

2 years ago

November 16, 2023

IN AN AMBITIUOS move to further the country’s commitment to sustainability, the Welsh government has announced drastic new workplace recycling laws.

Set to take effect from 6 April 2024, the legislation mandates all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to sort their waste for recycling. The first of its kind in the region, it has been introduced in an attempt to boost the quality and quantity of recycling in Wales.

However, some recycling and waste experts believe the changes come with real practical issues that have either been dismissed or not considered.

“When this policy comes into force, no businesses will be allowed to have a mixed recycling bin or collection”, Paul Jackson, waste expert and Director at NRC explains. “This is despite the fact that most recycling facilities in the commercial sector were designed to treat this type of waste. Many will now have to spend more in investments to manage these new single waste streams.”

Jackson adds, “Adapting to these new regulations could cost operators thousands of pounds, all of which will inevitably have to be passed back to the customer.”

It’s not just recycling facilities that will have to invest money to meet the new laws. All collection contractors will also have to invest thousands to help their customers meet the regulations. NRC has already begun helping their customers adjust their services.

“In nearly all cases”, Jackson explains, “the changes have required new containers to be ordered, services to be amended, staff to be trained and space to be found for extra bins.”

Over 90% of the businesses NRC supports in Wales have mixed recycling collections.

Jackson explains, “This waste is already recycled today; the changes will not have a drastic impact.”

In a preliminary cost of change analysis, NRC has found that hospitality businesses will experience a 5% increase in costs and 3% increase in recycling, while small retailers will have an 8% increase in recycling for a 23% increase in cost.

“With extra bins comes extra collections and an additional, ongoing expense”, Jackson adds.

“That’s in addition to unknown costs for the reduced productivity and slow moving containers that will emerge from customers who do not produce sufficient volumes of some materials to support regular collection.”

Jackson feels that some real practicalities have not been considered. “Any customers with limited room for containers are now required to magic up some space for additional containers.”

He explains, “Part of the sector provides ad hoc services to customers that require a one off clearance using a van service or skips. In recent discussions with NRW, they have confirmed that these situations will still require the customer to meet the new laws, and therefore have several van collections or several skips for the different materials.

“In effect, this will triple or quadruple collection costs, regardless of the practical impossibilities of having multiple skips or van collections at their collection locations. As this is not practically or commercially viable, customers could be left with massive increases in ad hoc collection costs, and the ad hoc waste clearance sector could potentially be severely damaged.

“We understand and fully support the need for wider recycling efforts”, Jackson concludes. “But these new regulations raise the questions of: ‘Who will carry the burden of cost’, and ‘How will this affect Welsh businesses in the long run?’”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.