Attwood aims for 60 per cent recycling

Northern Ireland can “step up to the plate” and surpass the existing 50 per cent target, according to Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

A formal 60 per cent recycling target for municipal waste collected by local authorities is expected before this Assembly dissolves in 2015. In June, Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced his intention to introduce legislation to increase the target from 50 per cent.

A consultation is expected in 2013 with a bill to be introduced to the Assembly in 2014.

The EU Waste Framework Directive stipulated that member states must recycle 50 per cent of municipal waste by 2020. If implemented, Northern Ireland will exceed targets in the Republic of Ireland and England, which retain the 50 per cent target. Scotland and Wales have committed to a 70 per cent recycling target.

Local authority collected municipal waste is that controlled or possessed by a district council and includes household waste. The term ‘recycling’ is used to cover both the recycling of dry products (the most visible form) and the composting of biodegradable waste.

Attwood believes that Northern Ireland “can step up to the plate and surpass the existing target.” A compulsory 60 per cent target will allow the waste industry “to know where they have to get to by 2020.”

A DoE spokesman told agendaNi that “the Minister believes that Northern Ireland should be ‘a world leader in carbon reduction.’ This would demonstrate the character of our free and clean country, recognise the gathering threat of climate change and be another example that the scale and wonder of our heritage, needs protection and positive development in a sustainable way.” This ambition requires  “a strategic shift in law, policy, practice and funding, a rigorous Climate Bill, and a challenging recycling target,” the Minister believes.

Local authority collected municipal waste (January-March 2012)

*   The tonnages of recycled and landfilled waste may not always equal the waste arisings as recycling measures do not include re-use.

Tonnes of waste for recycling (January-March 2012)

Recycling rate (2008-2012)