ENVIRONMENTAL measures in Wales stepped up a gear at the weekend as all businesses, charities and public-sector organisations will have to separate their waste.

The Welsh government claims the law will increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration and to landfill.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Wales is already the best in the UK for domestic recycling and third best in the world.

“We now want to improve the quality and quantity of recycling from workplaces.

“This is an important step towards reaching zero waste, reducing our carbon emissions and tackling the climate emergency.”

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies attacked the new regulations for businesses and his party has written to Mr Irranca-Davies asking for the enforcement of the law to be delayed.

In response, a Welsh government spokesman said: “The reforms have been developed over the last 10 years with consultation and engagement at every stage.

“The costs of managing waste not recycled are likely to increase substantially over the next few years.”