Single use plastics are to be outlawed in Wales now government ministers have agreed to approve legislation to ban selling unnecessary, disposable products to consumers.

The Welsh government says the new law is a key step in reducing the flow of damaging plastic waste into the Welsh environment and is being introduced following consultation with the public and other stakeholders.

Taking effect in autumn 2023, it will give local authorities the power to enforce the offence of supplying or offering to supply the commonly littered items – even when they are free.

Wales is currently ranked as the world’s third best domestic recycler and the new law demonstrates how the Welsh Government is continuing to take ambitious steps to tackle the climate and nature emergencies says climate change minister Julie James.

“Now is the time for all of us to think differently and change our habits to avoid leaving a legacy of plastic waste for future generations,” said Julie James.

Most plastic is made from fossil fuels. Reducing it can assist efforts towards net zero and help to minimise the worst impacts of climate change.

The Minister added: “We will continue to work with industry, businesses, third sector bodies, academia, and others – ensuring we say goodbye to the scourge of this littered plastic from our streets, parks and seas for good.”

The ban was also welcomed by Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive who said: “Keep Wales Tidy welcomes legislation to ban single-use plastics. It is a positive step on our journey towards transforming the way we consume plastics and reduce waste as a nation. Crucially, it paves the way for industry to move away from polluting practices which are damaging our environment and harming our wildlife.”

However Conservatives in the Welsh government, while supporting the move, accused the Labour administration of years of dithering and delay on introducing the ban saying the Labour Government has finally caught up with other parts of the United Kingdom in banning single-use plastics.

Welsh Conservative shadow climate change minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: “It is high time Labour banned the use of single use plastics like we have been saying they should for years.

“Hopefully now, Labour ministers can get on with its other long-awaited environmental promises like a Clean Air Act and show it is as serious about tackling climate change as the Welsh Conservatives.’’