Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir emphasized the necessity of integrating recycling into our daily routines, regardless of location or activity, in order to diminish landfill waste and bolster recycling efforts. The minister pointed this out during a visit to Bryson Recycling in Newtownabbey, where he unveiled a new consultation aimed at enhancing recycling and waste management practices to meet this objective.
Titled ‘Rethinking Our Resources: Measures for Climate Action and a Circular Economy in NI’, the 12-week consultation presents 26 proposals for change. These include potentially expanding the range of materials accepted in kerbside bins, improving food waste collections, and reducing the volume of residual waste permitted.
“Recycling should be an integral, yet simple, everyday activity that people can carry out whether they are at home, their place of work, educational or healthcare setting, or a social hub,” added Minister Muir.
Additionally, the minister indicated that, the proposals outlined in this consultation have been crafted collaboratively through thorough engagement with key stakeholders, and they eagerly await input from all parties. He further pointed out that while legislative obligations compel all to increase recycling and decrease landfill usage, they recognize it as the morally sound course of action. The truth is, recycling benefits us, our local economy, and the environment.
In Northern Ireland, the current household waste recycling rate stands at 51.1%, a notable increase from the 10% recorded in 2002. With the introduction of these proposals, there is optimism that this rate could climb to 74%.
The proposals target both households and the non-household municipal sector. They entail implementing the EU Circular Economy Package, which would entail extending recycling legislation to businesses generating waste akin to household waste. An additional proposal involves broadening Food Waste Regulations to encompass all businesses and fostering higher recycling rates within the non-household municipal sector.
