Including glass in a new recycling scheme could drive up costs for consumers and businesses.
Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies has called for a statement from the Welsh Government on its proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Warning that plans to include glass could impose significant costs on businesses and people across Wales.
Speaking in the Senedd during today’s Business Statement and Announcement, Mr Davies said: "The Welsh Government’s decision to go it alone on glass feels like being different just for the sake of it, and I am disappointed they have not been prepared to clearly explain the rationale behind this approach."
While supporting the overall aim of a DRS to boost recycling and cut litter, Mr Davies raised concerns about Wales’ decision to diverge from the rest of the UK by including glass containers.
He said this could create "unnecessary complexity" and higher costs for businesses operating across borders, which would ultimately impact shoppers.
Mr Davies also highlighted a planned four-year transition period during which businesses would need to fund glass return infrastructure without any deposit being applied to glass items.
He argued that this would impose costs on the industry without offering consumers a financial incentive to return glass.
In response, the Welsh Government’s Trefnydd said the "Welsh Labour Government is proud that we have led the way for years in recycling" and that they "want to do even better, and the way to do that is with a Deposit Return Scheme that we have developed in Wales."
Following the Senedd exchange, Mr Davies said he was disappointed by the lack of a clear explanation from ministers.
He said: "It’s equally concerning that they have not set out any proper assessment of the impact this will have on businesses and Welsh people, particularly when the industry faces the prospect of funding costly at a time when many pubs, brewers, and hospitality businesses are already under immense pressure.
"If the Welsh Government is serious about supporting businesses, delivering an effective scheme, and keeping costs down for the consumer, it should drop its plans to include glass and align the Deposit Return Scheme with the rest of the UK".
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